TNAG-1284-FCO40-1636-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 88

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PROVISIONAL REPLACEMENTS WHEN A VACANCY OCCURS, EG BY APPOINTING ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR OTHER PERSON TO ACT TEMPORARILY AS AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL.

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WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FURTHER ADVICE, IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE COMMENTS, ON WHAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION WOULD BE IF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXCO WERE TO RESIGN. WE ARE OF COURSE ALL AGREED THAT THE POLITICAL, AS OPPOSED TO CONSTITUTIONAL, POSITION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD BE EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT, BUT IN STRICTLY LEGAL TERMS IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT COULD BE CARRIED ON

WITHOUT, FOR INSTANCE, DIRECTIONS FROM LONDON.

HOWE

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DISTRIBUTION:-

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

SIR W HARDING

COPIES TO·

MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISER

SIR P. CRADOCK

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