TNAG-1334-FCO40-1766-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1984 — Page 14

The List of backers must be known before presentation of the Bill, which is likely to take place in mid-January. It would be very helpful to have at least a partially agreed List before Lady Young introduces the Bill to L Committee on 9 January.

5. I t is customary for the Parliamentary Clerk to submit on this

question, but in view of the Christmas break and absences from the

Parliamentary Unit the Department is submitting in his stead. In the light of the Secretary of State's decision the Parliamentary Clerk will seek the agreement of the Ministers concerned and then send the list of backers via the Department's Legal Counsellor to Parliamentary Counsel.

Wotum

CO Hum

28 December 1984

Hong Kong Department