CONFIDENTIAL
so, it would generate further speculation in Hong Kong; if he did not, it would suggest that important decisions were being taken over the head of Hong Kong. If news of the OPD (K) meeting leaked, the Governor would also be put in a difficult position with his present ExCo. He does not plan to inform them of his specific ideas (which will involve significant change to the composition of ExCo itself) until the eve of his LegCo address on 7 October.
It would be difficult for him to be seen to travel to London to attend an OPD (K) meeting without having first consulted ExCo about his proposals.
The Foreign Secretary agrees that in the circumstances there is a good case for dealing with the Governor's proposals in correspondence. I would be
grateful to know whether the Prime Minister would be content for the planned meeting of OPD (K) in September to be cancelled.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Sonia Phippard (Cabinet Office).
Yours ever,
Christopher Prentice
Stephen Wall Esq
10 Downing Street
(R HT Gozney)
Private Secretary