CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 1788
OF 02170OZ OCTOBER 91
CONFIDENTIAL
HAD 340/3
TOP COPY Q DIST?
004222 MDLOAN 5382
YOUR TELNOS 2016 AND 2777: ARRANGEMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF HKBDTCS AND BN (0)S
APOLOGIES, BUT IT IS PROVING DIFFICULT AND TAKING MORE TIME THAN ENVISAGED TO COME TO A CONCERTED LEGAL VIEW ON
1.
THIS THORNY ISSUE. IT HAS REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH BY THE HOME OFFICE AND FCO, SOME OF WHICH HAS THROWN UP DIFFERENCE OF INTERPRETATION OF THE LEGISLATION, WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE.
2.
REGRETTABLY WE ARE NOT YET IN A POSITION TO GIVE AN AGREED SUBSTANTIVE REPLY TO TURS (WE SHALL LET YOU HAVE THIS ASAP). MEANWHILE, IN VIEW OF THE BUDGETARY DEADLINE MENTIONED IN SECOND TUR, YOU MAY FIND IT USEFUL TO KNOW THAT (WHATEVER THE FINAL VIEW ON THE LEGAL DETAILS) OUR ADVICE IS LIKELY TO BE AGAINST THE IDEA OF CUT-OFF DATES AND IN FAVOUR OF A COMPREHENSIVE, HIGH-PROFILE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AIMED AT PEOPLE WHO MIGHT WISH TO REGISTER AS BN (0)S. POTENTIAL BDTCS WILL ALSO HAVE TO
REGISTER IN GOOD TIME. SO IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO CATER FOR THEM ALSO. YOU MAY WISH TO BEAR THIS IN MIND IN CONSIDERING A SUBMISSION TO LEGCO FOR FUNDS FOR A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN STARTING IN MID 1992 AS YOU SUGGEST.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
DISTRIBUTION
66
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD SIR J COLES
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