TNAG-1377-FCO40-1825-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 301

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Y

3. WE PROPOSE THAT, IN REPLY TO POSSIBLE SUBBLEMENTARY QUESTIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SHOULD STICK TO THE LINE THAT HE CANNOT ANTICIPATE THE CONTENTS OF THE BILL. ON QUESTIONS CONCERNING TIMING, HE SHOULD SAY THAT THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED EARLY IN 1985, THAT THE BILL MUST BE PASSED BEFORE HMG CAN RATIFY THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT, AND THAT RATIFICATION MUST BE BEFORE 30 JUNE 1985.

4. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO KNOW DESKBY 08010OZ WHETHER YOU AGREE TO THE PROPOSALS IN PARAS 2 AND 3 ABOVE.

5. SEE MIFT FOR BACKGROUND.

YOUDE

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

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

MR J CROWLEY, PUSE

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