TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 245

FCS/84/266

CONFIDENTIAL

MKK 040/53,

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

150CT 984

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

TAK KL

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

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1.

HICD Wiro Ps

امت

Hong Kong: Legislation

PS1MrLuce

Six P. Cradock Sir J. Freeland

20

Mr Barrows hegoul Advisers Parliamentary Wuit

Mer Wood heagul fivises Miss Rudice Protocol Dest

In On(K) on 4 September we held a preliminary

discussion of the legislation which would be needed in order to implement the agreement on the future of Hong Kong. My officials are preparing a paper on this for circulation to the appropriate Cabinet committees: but I thought I should

let you know first which way our minds are now moving on

the major points involved.

2.

I am now writing to you as Chairman of Q(L) to say that

we have identified the following aspects of the arrangements

for Hong Kong's future which will require UK legislation:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

3.

the termination of sovereignty over the ceded

territories with effect from 1 July 1997;

amendment of the British Nationality Act 1981 to

create a new status for British Dependent Territories

citizens who enjoy that status by virtue of their

connection with Hong Kong;

modification of United Kingdom enactments consequent

upon termination of United Kingdom sovereignty;

granting of diplomatic privileges and immunities

to the Chinese members of the Joint Liaison Group

when it meets in London.

(c) and (d) are relatively straightforward. We envisage

that (c) will be dealt with by enabling clauses allowing the

detailed provisions to be made by Order in Council, or in certain cases by Hong Kong legislation. (d) would be dealt

with by a short clause in the Bill. These procedures will be explained in more detail in our paper.

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