TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 303

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SECRET

DSR 11C

British Parliament, and will take months rather than

days. They continue to press us for date by which we

can agree to ratify, and we shall need to give them this

during September.

My considered view is that July 1985 is the latest date

at which ratification would be acceptable to the Chinese.

I have written to Lord Whitelaw about the exact timetable

of a Hong Kong Bill, but I should be grateful for your

confirmation that the pressure of business in the House

will not preclude us from putting a Hong Kong bill

through all its stages by the end of June. My best guess

at present is that the bill will not be controversial,

though it is likely to attract considerable interest.

We have in mind a short bill dealing with the termination

of British sovereignty over Hong Kong as from 1 July

1997. We hope that any other matters, consquent on the

agreement can be left until later. We cannot be sure

exactly what form the bill will take before the agreement

and its annexes have been finalised at the end of

September, but a paper on this matter will be prepared

for OD(K) and QL.

SECRET