TNAG-1353-FCO40-1794-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 130

CONFIDENTIAL

Timing

13. In order to maintain the timetable leading to elections

in Hong Kong in September 1985 it is important that the

electoral bill should be published in Hong Kong on 1 March.

The earliest date on which a full OD(K) could be called is

26 February, which would probably make the 1 March deadline

impossible. In view of the shortness of time, I hope that if

you and other colleagues agree with my recommendations we

might clear the matter out of committee. If however colleagues

feel that a discussion is necessary a time has been

pencilled in on 26 February.

Conclusions

14. I invite my colleagues to agree that

(1) We should not insist that reserve powers of

legislation be created for the Governor.

(2) We should press the Governor to agree that a power

of dissolution of the legislature at any time

(followed by elections within a specified and short

period) should be provided for in the amendments to

the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions.

15. I am copying this minute to our colleagues on OD(K)

and to Sir Robert Armstrong.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

19 February 1985

GEOFFREY HOWE

CONFIDENTIAL