TNAG-1284-FCO40-1636-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 299

SECRET

(95)

بلا

Sir P Cradock

I agree

Private Secretary

Secre

HICK

011/3

RECEIVED IN ALC STRY

Sub

2 0 MAR 1984

OFFICER

PA

2

REGISTRY

won Yaten

FROM: R D CLIFT

Search

DATE: 16 March 1984

cc: PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Sir W Harding

Dr Wilson

Mr Thomson, FED

of State.

Has fee

Mikuuta 1

issues

Mr Burrows, Legal Advisers

Hd, Planning Staff

Mr Walker, Research Dept

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

191

94

PROBLEM

1.

To decide the outlines of constitutional development in Hong

Kong up to 1997, in the light of the Governor's paper for EXCO on this subject.

A

Aktel

682.

RECOMMENDATIONS

2. I recommend that the Secretary of State agree with the

Governor's proposals and circulate the attached note to OD (K)

members.

BACKGROUND

3. The Governor prepared a draft paper on this subject in December

1983 which the Secretary of State

SS) covering minute on 23 December.

sent to the Prime Minister with a

The Governor discussed it with the

Executive Council on 5 January. Members of the Council unanimously

considered that progressive development, building on existing institutions was the right course. OD (K) considered the paper on 11 January. During the EXCO Unofficials' visit to London that month it

was agreed that the general direction proposed was right but that further examination of detail would be necessary.

4. The Governor's latest memorandum outlines the steps that should

be taken to develop the constitutional and governmental structure of

Hong Kong, in accordance with this decision. The aim is to have

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