TNAG-1377-FCO40-1825-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 211

CONCLUSION

1

CONFIDENTIAL

408

1

29. WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND ONE THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THIS HOUSE AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. WE NOW NEED TO MOVE RAPIDLY TO RATIFY AND IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT SO THAT THE RENEWED CONFIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE TERRITORY WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND ITS SIGNATURE CAN BE MAINTAINED.

30. AS I SAID EARLIER, PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION SHALL BE EXCHANGED BEFORE 30 JUNE 1985, AND IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD MAKE AS RAPID PROGRESS AS POSSIBLE WITH THIS BILL TO ENABLE US TO MEET THAT DATE.

31. THE BILL IS SHORT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD, AND I COMMEND IT TO THE HOUSE.

ENDS.

HOWE

11

HONG KONG AGREEMENT

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER)

PS

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

MR J CROWLEY, PUSD

COPIES TO:(VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET

OFFICE

MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE

SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST‹

CONFIDENTIAL