TNAG-1315-FCO40-1708-Future-of-Hong-Kong-preparation-of-the-Joint-Declaration-1984 — Page 11

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Mr Hum, HKD

HONG KONG:

LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE

Do W.

Cra 1

1.

You asked me this afternoon for urgent advice on what needs to be done between signature and ratification of the agreement, and how quickly it would be possible to complete the process if we were instructed to act as quickly as possible.

2. For the purposes of this minute, I shall assume that we would abandon our idea of seeing the draft Basic Law before allowing the agreement to enter into force.

3.

I would envisage the following procedure to meet legal requirements

4.

(i) Signature of the agreement.

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Preparation of a Bill to give effect to the agreement. This would inter alia divest the United Kingdom of sovereignty over the ceded territories, amend our nationality law in accordance with the agreement, make any other changes in our law necessary as a consequence of the change of status of Hong Kong from a British colony to a Special Administrative Region of China, and perhaps have provisions relating to pensions of public servants.

Enactment of the Bill.

Exchange of ratifications.

In view of the uncertainties at present about the content of the agreement, particularly over nationality and public servants, it is difficult to give a confident forecast about the length of stages (ii) and (iii). sufficient details on all the above matters had been agreed by all concerned before signature of the agreement, a reasonable time might be about nine months. Timetables can, of course, be compressed if extreme measures are taken.

15 March 1984

cc:

Sir P Cradock Dr Wilson

Mr Clift

4. Burrows

F Burrows

Legal Counsellor

MKK040 (19

AYORIVEL his ried...

*X 904

140

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