5.
There is
I have much sympathy with the Governor's view. no particular reason why the Foreign Affairs Committee need this memorandum by 7 February; and there are very good
reasons for seeking a reprieve. I therefore recommend that
we go back to the Clerk to the Committee and seek his
agreement to a two week extension. That would enable the
Hong Kong Government to complete their work on the paper for
the Chinese by the end of the month before turning their
attention to the draft memorandum, which they could send us
well before the Chinese New Year break.
JONAFP/2
ARPac
A R Paul