TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 72

File No.

Department. Drafted by

OUTWAR

(Block Capitals)...

R D CLIFT

TELEGRAM

Tel Extn.

DESKBY

FOR COMMS, DEPT. USE

(Date)

Despatched

POSTBY

(Time)..

2

PREAMBLE

(Time of Origin)....

(Security Class.)... SECRET

Security Classification

SECRET

Precedence

PRIOR

XY 4:

Z

Z

Z(G.M.T.)

(Restrictive Prefix)..........

(Caveat

Privacy marking)...................

(Deskby)..............

Z

(Codeword)..........

TO........

PRIORITY

HONG KONG

Tel. No.

(precedence)

(post)

AND TO (precedence/post)..

AND TO SAVING............

PRIORITY PEKING

INFO.......

INFO SAVING.....

Distribution:-

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD MR WRIGHT

Copies to:-

[TEXT]

YOUR TELNO 1714 AND PEKING TELNO 1239: DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE IN HONG KONG

1.

Ministers agree in principle with the general

thrust of the proposals in TUR. They consider, however,

that the possibility of direct elections to the

out.

Legislative Council at a later stage should not be ruled

They realise the special sensitivity of this

question in Hong Kong. But they think it doubtful that

the danger of destabilising inter-factional competition

would be significantly greater here than at the lower leve

of elections envisaged in your proposal. They understand

and agree with HM Ambassador's concern about the

Chinese capacity to cause trouble. Nevertheless we should

make the most of the Chinese own emphasis on the need for

Dd 8200201 200M S&K 6/81

SECRET

/representative