TNAG-1288-FCO40-1639-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 87

CONFIDENTIAL

believe that this represents a more sensible approach

than springing the White Paper on the Chinese at the last

minute and running the risk that they may react adversely

to the proposals in it and damage public confidence.

5. It is helpful that the White Paper will have been

published before the Parliamentary debate on Hong Kong.

Overall I believe that the proposals in it will be

welcomed, though some members, particularly on the

opposition benches, will no doubt take the view that the

proposed steps do not go far enough.

6. I am copying this minute to other members of OD(K)

and to Sir Robert Armstrong.

يلا

GEOFFREY HOWE

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

8 November, 1984

CONFIDENTIAL