TNAG-1041-FCO40-1291-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 22

CODE 18,77

J22.12

Mr Williamson

Mr McQuade - 4/

Mr qlirt

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INDSX

Reference.....HKK...040./.1.

277

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04011

22 DPCIJI

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FUTURE OF HONG KONG

1. I attach: a)

b)

a revised draft minute to Mr Rushford, covering

a draft paper which sets out, in sliding scale form, the different paths that might be open to us to take to enable HMG to continue admin- istering Hong Kong beyond 1997.

c) a minute relating to paragraph 1 of (b) above. 2. In Mr Rushford's view, there are really only three paths along which we could walk alone, so to speak. The fourth one listed is in effect an extension of the third to accommodate Chinese concessions or involvement in some form or other.

Once we have a clear and agreed paper I suggest we give Peking and Hong Kong a chance to comment

3.

•

4. I am not sure how useful it would be at this stage to consult the Attorney General's Office again. But it would do no harm just to keep them in the picture and invite any comments. The last exchange on file between Mr Rushford and Mr Steel of that Office was in October.

18 December 1981

Mmuti & dift paper

L

f isour

श्रीमान

SECRET

سم الما

W Morris