CONFIDENTIAL
possible slippages.
5.
Finally, I think Jill Barrett's conversation with
Ian Wingfield and yourself shows the value of direct contact in which the issues can be discussed more flexibly than in telegrams. We should perhaps resort to the telephone more readily in future, either between Legal Advisers or desk officers.
6.
I am copying this letter to others in Hong Kong Government since the lessons apply to any subject area and, indeed, are more likely to be of use to those who have not gone through the process we have with the Immigration Ordinance. None of the above is intended to apply criticism of anyone involved in this case: these are difficulties which arise out of the necessity to have Ministerial approval and backing for complex and potentially controversial measures in a very tight time frame.
Yous ever
Pamela
P A Major
Hong Kong Department
cc: P Lai Esq, Constitutional Affairs Branch,
Hong Kong Government
D Edwards Esq, Law Officer IL, Legal Department,
Hong Kong Government
PJ Dykes Esq, Assistant Solicitor General,
Hong Kong Government
D G Martin Esq, UKREP JLG Hong Kong
Ms Barrett, Legal Advisers
Mr Bruce, SEAD
Mr Walwyn, UND
RIDAKG
CONFIDENTIAL