TNAG-1373-FCO40-1819-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

consistent

with principle of Hong Kong people governing

Hong Kong and with these principles.

Points to make to Hong Kong Government officials

DEFENSIVE

6.

to

Cannot expect Chinese to give us formal position in drafting of Basic Law, but a number of channels open to us try to influence it, including margins of JLG and through Hong Kong members of BLDC and BLCC.

7.

difficult to

If District Boards and LegCo wish to debate Basic Law, refuse outright. But Government position of

course that drafting is а matter for the Chinese, and

Government spoke smen cannot be expected to make substantive

statements on Basic Law.

CONFIDENTIAL