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CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
From:
F D Berman
HKC 37018
Date:
CM
Cc:
Legal Adviser
9 April 1992
PS
PS/Mr Garel-Jones Mr Broomfield
Sir J Coles
Mr Crowe
Mr Fairweather
Mr Burns
Mr Jay
Mr Goodenough Mr Chamberlain
Mr Eaton
6474
PS/PUS
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
1.
Following our discussion this morning, I submit
suggestions as to how we might handle FCO legislative bids. This is against the background of Cabinet office requirements which are specified more precisely below.
Conservative victory
The
2. I do not see this as giving rise to a problem. Cabinet Office's urgent requirement is for bids by 3 pm, Monday 13 April, only in the case of new bids for introduction immediately after the Queen's Speech. We already have agreement from the FLG Committee however, before the Election, on the following bids for immediate introduction: European Communities (Amendment) and Mauritius (Republic). These bids do not have to be renewed until 6 pm on Wednesday 15 April together with our other claims and priorities, including those not for immediate introduction (i.e. Foreign Compensation (Amendment)). This gives us ample opportunity to consult the Foreign Secretary or new Junior Ministers on Monday or Tuesday, either to confirm our existing bids or to seek additional authority. The only serious issue to arise in this regard is whether the Foreign Secretary should renew his bid for an enabling Bill on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. In my view, he should be urged to prevail on his colleagues to get the matter over and done with at an early stage of the new Parliament when Hong Kong affairs are, in general, calm.
Labour victory
3. The Cabinet Office's requirements in this event are for
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL