TNAG-1287-FCO40-1638-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 135

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CONFIDENTIAL

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17

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Public reaction and publicity

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21.

As has been argued earlier in this memorandum,

given the general context of constitutional development

and

necessary changes in which Hong Kong now finds

itself, it is not thought that the public should find

these proposals excessive or inappropriate. The

publicity to be given to them will coincide with the

publication of the draft Bill. The press release will

stress that these are the normal powers and privileges

enjoyed by other colonial and commonwealth legislatures,

passed on through independence to successor sovereign

governments. Informal briefing will supplement this by

suggesting that these measures are in fact long overdue,

and a necessary part of Hong Kong's preparation for its

autonomous future.

Legislative timetable

22.

Subject

to

Members

approval of the

introduction of this Bill into the Legislative Council

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