SECRET
SECRET
HKB 011/7
2 MAY 1907
RECE
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 25140OZ FCO
TELNO 842
OF 25110OZ MAY 93
PEKING
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
INFO DESKBY 26020OZ
pa. Flections
103404
MDHIAN 2089
TOP COPY Q DIST?
PEKING TELNO 730 AND OUR TELNO 836: TALKS WITH THE CHINESE:
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) BILL.
1
·
27
I ENDORSE THE LINE PROPOSED BY SIR R MCLAREN ON THE INCREASE
IN THE NUMBER OF ELECTED D B SEATS.
2. WE HAVE NOW CHECKED FURTHER THE POINT IN PARA 3 OF MY TUR. OUR LEGAL ADVISERS TELL US THAT, DESPITE SOME POTENTIAL AMBIGUITY IN THE LEGCO STANDING ORDERS, THE ADMINISTRATION COULD ALMOST CERTAINLY WITHDRAW OR POSTPONE THE BEC BILL, EVEN AT THIS LATE STAGE IF IT WERE DETERMINED TO DO SO. WE CANNOT THEREFORE ASSE TO THE CHINESE THAT THE TIMING IS NOW ENTIRELY IN LEGCO'S HANDS.
PATTEN
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
.HK POLICY
HKD
PUSD
FED
65
DISTRIBUTION
72
NTCD
PLANNERS
RAD
PS
LEGAL ADVISERS//MS
LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS
LEGAL ADVISERS//MR NEWS D
BARRETT
GILES
PS/MR GOODLAD
SIR J COLES
MR HUM
ADDITIONAL
7
CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE (DIO)
CAOFF//MISS NEVILLE-JONES
NNNN
CAOFF//MR SIBSON
PAGE
SECRET
1
PS NO 10.