CO537-6046 — Page 92

Sent 15/8

54/45/4/50

[456B) Wt. 32483/800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748

to

C. O.

Mr.

Paskin

Mr.

Mr...

Mr.

14/55

Parly. U.S. S.

2/8

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to Sin A. Grantham

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Minister of State

Secretary of State

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Your Reference.

DRAFT. S.0. LETTER

SECRET AND PERSONAL

J.F. NICOLL, ESQ., C.M.G.,

HONG KONG,

Esapt. Despatch

(of Ahn)

57 on

(ive 35-)

54145/4/49

FURTHER ACTION.

(23)

For Mr. Paskin's Signature

You will be aware of the revised proposals

for constitutional reform in Hong Kong which Grantham

brought with him in sketch form. Since he has been

back here the whole matter has been discussed

exhaustively with him, both by ourselves and by

Ministers. When Grantham saw the Secretary of State

a few weeks ago, the question was raised whether, in

view of all that has happened in the Far East since

last August, it is still "opportune" to be considering proposals for constitutional development in Hong Kong.

On this, Grantham's view was that it is very desirable

that something (i.e. the "open" despatch of the 25th

August and the Secretary of State's reply) should be

published in Hong Kong fairly soon, in order to avoid

giving a handle for agitation by left wing opinion.

That

would, of course, have to be causided Whether this view will continue to prevail if the

situation in the Far East should deteriorate, in

possible directions of which both you and we are

painfully conscious, remains to be seen.

2. As regards the proposals themselves the

conclusion has been reached that subject to certain

amendments which I mention below, the revised version

which Grantham brought home with him is a good deal

more satisfactory, having regard to the present

situation in the Far East, than that submitted last

August. But since the proposals submitted last year

/ were