CONFIDENTIAL
i
HKC370/8
01 MAN
FON
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 010100Z HONG KONG
TELNO 403
OF 28190OZ FEBRUARY 91
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
قنا
13
113665
MDHOAN 8898
fe
1/3.
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD
FRAY
MIPT AND MY TELNO 163: COURT OF FINAL APPEAL: UK LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
1. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT DESPITE THE LETTER TO THE LORD PRESIDENT (SECOND TUR) AND THE APPEARANCE OF AN FCO MINISTER BEFORE THE FUTURE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE, IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR WHETHER WE SHALL BE ABLE TO SECURE A SLOT FOR THE HONG KONG (APPEALS) BILL IN THE 1991/1992 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME.
2.
WE CONTINUE TO ARGUE STRONGLY OUR CASE. THE SECRETARY OF STATE RAISED THIS IN CABINET TODAY. BUT CONTINUED FEARS THAT A BILL CONCERNING HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO BE CONTROVERSIAL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A JUNE ELECTION COMBINE TO MAKE IT FAR FROM CERTAIN THAT WE SHALL SUCCEED. THE LORD PRESIDENT WAS SYMPATHETIC. NO FINAL DECISION WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL MAY AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS RESERVED THE RIGHT TO RETURN TO THE SUBJECT BEFORE THEN.
3. SINCE THE OUTCOME IS STILL UNCERTAIN, WE DO NOT THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A FACTOR IN EXCO'S CONSIDERATION. WE SHALL LET
YOU KNOW AS SOON AS WE HAVE ANY FIRMER NEWS.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
61
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
. (RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
DISTRIBUTION
63
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
PAGE
1
CONFIDENTIAL