TNAG-0848-FCO40-1058-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 148

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(D) THE ESSENCE OF THE ACTION WOULD BE TO STOP ISSUING LEASES DRAFTED TO EXPIRE ON 29 JUNE 1997, AND SUBSTITUTE A VALIDITY FOR AS LONG AS THE CROWN ADMINISTERS'' THE TERRITORIES. EXISTING LEASES WITH A TERMINAL DATE WOULD BE SIMILARLY AMENDED. THIS WOULD INVOLVE A SIMPLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

7. ONE COULD ONLY DECIDE AT THE TIME HOW MUCH OF THIS TO EXPOSE AND WHEN. BUT I THINK (A) AND (B) WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER, AND SIMILARLY TO SAY (C) WITHOUT (D) WOULD PROVOKE UNNECESSARY SPECULATION. BUT AFTER (A) AND (B) WE MIGHT WISH TO ALLOW AN

INTERVAL FOR REFLECTION, AND DISCUSSION IF DESIRED, BEFORE COMMITTING OURSELVES TO (C) AND (D).

8. I DO NOT FAVOUR GIVING ADVANCE EXPLANATIONS TO N CNA ABOUT LEASES, THOUGH THEY COULD BE USED TO FOLLOW UP AFTERWARDS IF NECESSARY, AND IF CRADOCK THINKS DESIRABLE. WE WOULD FORWARN THEM OF THE THEME IN PARA.5.

9. 1 APOLOGISE FOR THE LENGTH OF THIS TELEGRAM BUT DO NOT WISH THERE TO BE ANY MISUNDERSTANDING, PARTICULARLY SINCE THERE IS INTER-CONNECTION WITH BRIEFS FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT.

9. I APOLOGISE FOR THE LENGTH OF

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HK & GD

FED

PS

(6)

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

FS/PUS

SIR A DUFF

MR CORTAZZI

MR MURRAY

LEGAL ADVISER

(MR RUSHFORD)

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