TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 255

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4. WE ARE UNABLE AT PRESENT TO THINK OF ANY OTHER TEXT PROVIDING

SPECIFICALLY FOR CONTINUITY OF STRUCTURES WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO

THIS SERIOUS DRAWBACK. WE WONDER WHETHER A VAGUER FORMULATION ON

THE LINES OF THE FOLLOWING MIGHT BE POSSIBLE:

'SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS SHALL BE AGREED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS

OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN TO ENSURE

THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT OVER THE CHANGEOVER PERIOD IN 1997,

AND THE BASIC LAW WILL MAKE PROVISION FOR SUCH CONTINUITY.'

5. WE SUSPECT THAT THE CHINESE WOULD ANSWER THIS BY SAYING THAT

THEIR PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSULTATION DURING THE TRANSITION

PERIOD ALREADY CATER FOR THIS. BUT IT SEEMS INEVITABLE THAT THEY

WILL SAY THIS TO ANY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE IN THE ANNEX FOR

CONTINUITY.

6. GRATEFUL FOR REACTIONS TO THIS IDEA. IN PARTICULAR GRATEFUL

IF BURROWS WOULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM.

HOWE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISERS (SIR J FREELAND) PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

SIR C TICKELL MR GOODALL

COPIES TO:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK

ROOM K195

CABINET OFFIC

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.

2-

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