CONFIDENTIAL
33
117050
MDHIAN 6564
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3877
OF 17105OZ DECEMBER 91
TOP COPY Q DIST?
INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
32
HKB 440/1
YOUR TELNO 2073: OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT 1989: ORDER IN COUNCIL.
1. WE INFORMED THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (17 DECEMBER) THAT THE ORDER IN COUNCIL WOULD BE MADE DURING JANUARY. WE ALSO INFORMED THEM OF OUR PLANS FOR HANDLING PUBLICITY AND BRIEFING LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.
2. MEMBERS FELT THAT JANUARY WOULD NOT BE AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO MAKE THE ORDER APPLYING THE LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE AN UNACCEPTABLE REACTION FROM THE NEW LEGCO. CONCERN WAS ALSO EXPRESSED OVER POSSIBLE PUBLIC AND CHINESE REACTION. MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO DELAY THE MAKING OF THE ORDER UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 1992, WHEN THE NEW LEGCO WOULD HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO SETTLE DOWN, AND WISHED TO BE CONSULTED AGAIN IN MAY.
3. WE HOPE THAT THIS POSTPONEMENT WILL NOT CAUSE YOU UNDUE INCONVENIENCE, AND SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THE LOGISTICS OF MAKING THE ORDER IN JUNE FOLLOWING FURTHER EXCO DELIBERATION IN MAY. WE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER TO ASK FOR AN ORDER IN COUNCIL UNTIL AFTER THE EXCO DISCUSSION IN MAY.
4. APOLOGIES FOR THE CHANGE OF PLAN.
WILSON
YYYY
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