TNAG-1242-FCO40-1555-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 189

..

Mrift, Hong Kong Dept

MKK0401

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

14 SEP 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Hong Kong Legal System

The Secretary of State has noted from 'The Times report of 1 September the point made by a Hong Kong barrister that the laws of Hong Kong are not even written in the Chinese language. The Secretary of State has commented that he does not recall this important point being raised previously. He wonders whether English would, or should, have any particular status in Hong Kong after 1997. This is obviously a point which will need to be considered in the negotiations.

E. Holmes

See 156

1 September, 1983

cc:

PS

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Mr Giffard

(J E Holmes)

FED

Sir I Sinclair

Mr.

Hoare

Draft reply pl.

timis

Mr. Minis

/ 8

13/3 & 2/9

(558)

in consultation with