TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 200

CODE 18-77

AWO Ltd. 7/84

Reference.....

agreement relating to extradition'.

As to procedure, I suggest we submit to Ministers to agree in principle that the amendment be made; that it should then be drafted in a form ready for submission to the Privy Council; and then sent out to the territories together with a note to say that, for reasons given, it is proposed to proceed on the assumption that there is no local objection. We should not invite any unnecessary comment or local proposals for other amendments which we might or might not be willing to make. If we do, it will take years to achieve our object, during which we might again be faced with the same difficulties which arose in the TCI. None of this would of course apply to Montserrat where a different approach will be necessary. A slightly different approach will also be needed for the BVI.

5. I am sending a copy of this minute to Mr Thomas (Hong Kong) and Mr Alexander (Gibraltar) who may wish to check their respective constitutions and let you know if they wish to be associated with the amendment; to Mr Bickford and Miss Dowds (Falklands) for comment; and to desk officers concerned in WIAD.

5 November 1985

4.4. Walnu

W W Wallace

West Indian and Atlantic Dept

cc: Mr Bickford (Legal Advisers, K188)

Mr Thomas (HKD, WH312)

Mr Alexander (SED, W105) Miss Dowds (FID, WH226)

Mr Roberts, (WIAD)

Mr Kirby (WIAD)

Miss Arthur (WIAD)