TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 176

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1.

I think the submission and draft telegram are on the right lines.

2. On sovereignty, we shall have a little explaining to do to EXCO, but the Governor, to whom we spoke when he was in London recently, considers this should be manageable. On nationality, I should have liked the Home Secretary's minute to be a little clearer and Mr Hyde's gloss a little more authoritative, but again with luck we should be able to manage. The essential point, which may need further emphasising to OD(K) Ministers, is that if there is any risk of our being unable to meet the ratification timetable the nationality provisions will have to be jettisoned.

23 October 1984

copy to:

PS/Mr Luce

PS/PUS

Sir J Freeland

Mr Bickford, Legal Advisers Parliamentary Unit

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Maaral

}

Percy Cradock