TNAG-1334-FCO40-1766-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1984 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

1 sport!

Mr Galsworthy, HKD

M'ni dine

M 14

-14/12

HKK 040/53

RECEIVE FGISTRY

17 DEC 1984

G-ROOPAIDER

REGISTRY

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

XXX

19/12

HONG KONG BILL:

1.

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG

I understand that Sir J Freeland has spoken today to Sir P Cradock about the fact that EXCO is now expected to discuss the draft Hong Kong Bill with the Secretary of State in Hong Kong on 20 December, although the Secretary of State will not have an FCO legal adviser in his party.

2. I think it was agreed that the Secretary of State should be briefed in such a way as to discourage him from allowing himself to be drawn into discussion of detailed points of drafting on the Bill.

3. The finer points of the drafting have been the subject of much correspondence between Parliamentary Counsel, myself and the Home Office legal adviser concerned. They have also been discussed in detail with the Attorney General of Hong Kong (now on leave). I do not suppose that the Secretary of State would in any case wish to concern himself with such details, but it would be as well to give him appropriate briefing on this point. I assume you will also be briefing the Secretary of State so that he can discuss the broader aspects of the Bill, such as the question whether Clause 1 should terminate British sovereignty and jurisdiction or enable such termination to be effected later by Order in Council.

7. Bunows

14 December 1984

Copies to:

Sir J Freeland Sir P Cradock

F Burrows

Legal Counsellor

CONFIDENTIAL