TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 30

SECRET

Entér

Mr Giffard

PS/RUS

HKK 011/3

Secretary MKD

private Sect

Seen den Soff and

discussed 22/12

FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD

DATE: 21 December 1983

cc: PS/Mr Luce

Mr Donald

Mr Thomson, FED

Sir I Sinclair

Mr Burrows, Legal

Advisers

Hd/Planning Staff

see (5

HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT

PROBLEM

1.

(a)

(b)

22/2

To produce proposals on constitutional and governmental

development in Hong Kong up to 1997, to form the paper

commissioned by Ministers as part of the review of

strategy on the future of Hong Kong;

To authorise the Governor to consult EXCO on the initial

stages of his plans for constitutional development.

RECOMMENDATION

2.

(a)

(b)

I recommend that:

The Secretary of State agree generally with the Governor's

proposals but ask him to take account in the paper of the need

to test the acceptability of any future arrangement for Hong

Kong; and also to examine the possibility of aiming more

specifically at direct elections in Hong Kong before 1997. A

draft telegram is attached.

The Governor be authorised to consult EXCO on the

establishment of a Regional Council for the New Territories

and for changes in the composition of the District Boards.

BACKGROUND

3. On 13 December OD(K) commissioned a paper on increasing the

scope of internal self-government in Hong Kong as part of the

material for the visit of EXCO Unofficials to London in January.

SECRET

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