CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1700
OF 071636Z DECEMBER 92
CONFIDENTIAL
p.a. Leglo (13)
141252
MDHOAN 5430
MARS 012/ azk
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM RICKETTS, HKD
LEGCO TIMETABLE: COMMENTS BY LORD STERLING
1. Lord Sterling called on Alex Allan at No 10 on 4 December. He mentioned that he had been speaking to Baroness Dunn on the telephone.
2. His main proposition was that you should ask LegCo to bring forward the timing of submission of your proposals to LegCo. He was worried that there would otherwise be a considerable period of uncertainty. Baroness Dunn had apparently thought that this would be difficult. But Lord Sterling thought that it was worth trying. He also thought that doing so would help to allay fears of a UK/US plot (although I do not follow this latter point).
3.
We noted from your helpful telno 2839 that you are considering whether the ducks could be lined up in time for Legislation to be introduced before rather than after the New Year. Clearly there are a number of considerations which affect the timing. But I thought you would want to know that Lord Sterling has approached No 10 on this specific point. Is there anything further you would like us to say to No 10 at this stage?
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