CONFIDENTIAL
23
071017 MDHIAN 5487
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 15113OZ FCO
TELNO 2246
OF 151104Z JULY 91
AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING
HKE 440 /
TOP COPY
Q DIST?
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
UL. AKO,
PERSONAL FOR PAUL,
FROM GOVERNOR.
YOUR TELNO. 1288: EXTENSION OF 1989 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT TO HONG KONG.
1. OUR ORIGINAL AIM IN HAVING THIS ORDER THROUGH BEFORE THE LEGCO ELECTIONS WAS TO MINIMISE THE PUBLIC DEBATE, WHICH MIGHT HAVE PROMPTED A CHINESE RESPONSE.
2. IN VIEW OF THE DIFFICULTIES DESCRIBED IN TUR AND THE UPCOMING MINISTERIAL VISITS, WE ARE PREPARED TO RISK ANY UNFAVOURABLE PUBLICITY THAT A LATER EXTENSION BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL MIGHT TRIGGER. I CONFIRM, THEREFORE, THAT I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO POSTPONING A SUBMISSION TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL UNTIL THE AUTUMN.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
-
(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
NEWS D
PLANNERS
ADDITIONAL
4
DISTRIBUTION
64
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
PAGE
1
CONFIDENTIAL