CONFIDENTIAL
legislation in Hong Kong.
There is no directly linked area
of work in the JLG where they would be likely to block progress as a reprisal, although they may be even stickier on the fine print of the Court of Final Appeal (the draft
telegram reminds Hong Kong of this CFA angle).
7. The maintenance of law and order in Hong Kong is an area
where we must place confidence in the Governor and his advisers on the spot. We should need very strong grounds to challenge his view and ExCo's and LegCo's views on what
legislation is required for "the peace, order and good
government of the Colony". I do not think that our
reservations about a limited souring of the atmosphere with
China constitute such grounds in present circumstances.
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N J Cox