TNAG-1325-FCO40-1737-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 88

Burrows

Mr Burrow Legal Advisers

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference...

120

HUK 040/31

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

16 OCT 1984

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: MOTION

1. We have been giving thought to the terms of the motion for the House of Commons debate in December on the Hong Kong agreement. We should like to agree these as soon as possible with the Lord Privy Seal. Before submitting a draft letter to the Lord Privy Seal from the Secretary of State I would be grateful for your comments on (a) the terms of the draft motion and (b) the draft letter to the Lord Privy Seal (attached).

2.

The most obvious precedent for the Hong Kong debate is the debate on accession to the European Communities in October 1971, when Sir Alec Douglas-Home moved "that this House approves Her Majesty's Government's decision of principle to join the European Communities on the basis of the arrangements which have been negotiated".

3.

It seems to us that the motion on Hong Kong should follow this example. We are not entirely certain of all the parliamentary and consititutional niceties involved, however. (Is it correct in the present context to talk of a decision of principle to sign?). would be grateful therefore for your comments on the following alternatives:

We

All

Down

1

geral fou "precand?

(a)

(b)

"That this House approves Her Majesty's Government's decision of principle to sign the agreement on the future of Hong Kong negotiated with the Chinese Government, in the light of the opinion of the people of Hong Kong as set out in the report of the Assessment Office and the Monitors, laid before this House".

"That this House, having considered the views of the people of Hong Kong as set out in the reports laid before it, approves Her Majesty's Government's decision of principle to sign the agreement on the future of Hong Kong negotiated with the Chinese Government".

CODE 18-77

(c)

"That this House, having considered the views of the people of Hong Kong as set out in the reports laid before it, welcomes the agreement on the future of Hong Kong negotiated between the British and Chinese Governments."

Пигло Паскел

233 3120.

ا فشار میں

King Offein

CONFIDENTIAL