TNAG-0532-FCO40-627-Conservation-of-wildlife-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 101

Menst

ہے

early ratification but first to ensure that the territories and states for whose external relations the UK is responsible have considered whether they wh to be included in our instrument of ratification! Although the Convention contains no territorial application clause, paragraph 14 of the Final Act of the 1971 Conference allows parties to the Convention to indicate at any time to which territories constitutionally associated with them the Convention shall apply. We would be reluctant however to ratify on behalf of named Dependent Territories only and would hope that all Dépendent Territories could be in- cluded at the time of our instrument of ratification.

4. The Governments of Brunei and the Associated States may also wish to consider whether they

states should be included.

wish to

5. It is not envisaged that new UK legislation will be necessary. The Dependent Territories will therefore need to consider whether their existing powers are adequate for implementation of the provisions of the Convention (eg for promoting the consolidation of wetlands) or whether the necessary powers could be urgently enacted. We would be grateful for an indication of at least preliminary views by early June.

6. Territories may wish to consider at the same time whether they have any areas which could be designated as wetlands of international importance uch areas should (ideally be likely to remain undeveloped.

7.

Text of Convention (Cmnd 5483) follows by bag.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN