TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 233

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PRIVY COUNCIL OTCE

WHITEHALL. LONDON SWIA 2AT

10 September 1984

Sir P Cradock Six I Freeland

Mr Bickford, Legal

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Advises

Thank you for your minute of 28 August which we discussed in OD(K) on 4 September.

1

There are it would seem to me, two issues on which we must now decide, the content and the timing of the Hong Kong Bill. The timing is not wholly within our control, and, as the two are interrelated, it is not possible to take final decisions on either until we have agreement with the Chinese about the date of ratification. I cannot, however, stress too strongly the need for work on legislation to proceed as quickly as possible, if necessary on a contingency basis. We must be ready to introduce it soon after Parliament has debated the White Paper.

What I suggest, therefore, is that work should go ahead rapidly on the following basis.

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There will be legislation on Hong Kong in the next Session.

The date when Royal Assent is required will depend on negotiations with the Chinese about the date of ratification. As Business Managers, the Lord Privy Seal and I require the maximum possible time for the passage of the Bill, bearing in mind that it cannot be introduced until January. Our negotiators should therefore press for ratification in July. However, if this cannot be achieved and it is necessary to give Hong Kong legislation enhanced priority, this can be done within limits, provided that the adverse consequential effects on the legislative programme are recognized.

The content of next Session's Bill can only be finalised when the timing is clear. In the meantime it is essential to decide:

i.

what legislative changes would be absolutely necessary to enable us to ratify the agreement with the Chinese;

The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe QC MP

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SECRET