TNAG-0453-FCO40-518-Budget-of-Hong-Kong-1974-1975-1975 — Page 28

BUSHE

Mr Rushford (Legal Advisers)

Mr Stuart

1. I am grateful to Mr Carter for his advice on this somewhat technical subject, which I have incorporated in the attached draft saving telegram to Hong Kong.

2.

In the final paragraph of his preceding minute, Mr Carter suggested that we might wish to make FCO approval of the Hong Kong proposals conditional on their being submitted to the Hong Kong Legislative Council. I would on the whole be reluctant to do so unless there is a constitutional or legal requirement for such procedure. Hong Kong make no mention of it in the telegram containing their proposals, and I would assume therefore that in fact the agreement of the Legislative Council would not be required for this minor reform in accounting procedure. I should be glad, however, for the Legal Adviser's opinion on the point.

30 August 1974

ALLL

JK Hanna

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept

I am

Constitutional

not aware

a

or

legal

reguroment.

Telegram Issue

2/4

A.R.R.