same token,
token, Hong Kong's role was somewhat reduced, because the legislature was reduced to waiting for the outcome of the London- Peking talks and putting a stamp on the result, as distinct from legislating in a situation of Sino-British disagreement.
Chapter 24, page 12. There is a small clutch of irreconcilables here. I continue to say that we are now back on the traditional course of negotiation after a break in that process; and that damage has been done. I explain the nature of the damage.
Chapter 24, page 13. In the second paragraph I have taken out the
reference to British amour propre, but you may still have
reservations on the passage as a whole. I would ask you to remember that these are given as balanced arguments from two sides and they are
described as being in the main unprovable.
I think you will accept that all this represents a very
considerable effort to meet your concerns. I have gone as far as I possibly can without totally submerging my own point of view, indeed
in one or two cases possibly a little too far. You assured me yesterday that you are not insisting on an identity of opinion, that there are bound to be differing interpretations and that what matters
is whether the differences and their expression are such as to harm
the Government's position in the negotiations. Against that
criterion I really cannot believe that the revised text, containing
only a handful of unreconciled points, could pose the danger you
fear.
I hope you will agree that if such changes were made your
objections could be withdrawn and that, in answer to enquiries, the Government would be prepared to say that the text had been submitted
and was not in your view harmful to the negotiations with Peking.
Without that last assurance, you will understand that there is
little point in my going through the painful process of revision.
If on the other hand we still failed to agree, which would be
extraordinary and very sad, having gone so far, I should have to
withdraw all the revisions to date and look at the texts afresh.
Publication would probably have to be next spring in any event, though text, and circumstances, would be different. But I am sure
that will not happen now.
Could I again ask for a speedy answer? We are in the last lap and
should be able to settle the matter before we all disperse on
holiday.