CONFIDENTIAL
HKC241/3
013455
MDHOAN 3302
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 905
OF 10170OZ MAY 91
INFO PRIORITY UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING
pu
BOR: amendments.
FCO TELNO 888: AMENDMENTS TO THE LETTERS PATENT
.
1 WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT, MOST REGRETTABLY, THE LETTERS PATENT WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL 17 MAY AT THE EARLIEST. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AN INEXPLICABLE DELAY IN THE PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE.
2. THE LETTERS STILL HAVE TO BE SPECIALLY PRINTED ON VELLUM BEFORE THEY CAN PROPERLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE CROWN OFFICE OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS (WHICH PREPARES THE WARRANT FOR THE QUEEN'S SIGNATURE). THE WARRANT WILL THEREFORE NOT BE READY FOR SIGNATURE UNTIL FRIDAY 17 MAY AT THE EARLIEST.
3. BY THIS TIME, HER MAJESTY WILL HAVE LEFT THE UK FOR A TWO WEEK VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE THEREFORE MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WARRANT TO BE SIGNED BY THE TWO COUNSELLORS OF STATE. WE HOPE THIS WILL BE POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY 17 MAY.
4.
AS PROMISED IN TUR, WE WILL TELEGRAPH YOU IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE RECEIVED THE DOCUMENTS, AND FAX THEM TO YOU.
5. WE ARE ALL VERY SORRY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, NOT LEAST BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES WHICH THIS WILL CAUSE AT YOUR END.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
61
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
DISTRIBUTION
65
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
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CONFIDENTIAL