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From: P J Westmacott Date: 28 January 1985
CC:
Private Secretary PS/Lady Young
Sir W Harding
Dr Wilson
Parliamentary Unit
о
HONG KONG BILL
1.
Mr Luce has been giving some thought to the next steps.
2. His general view is that the Government (and Hong Kong) have benefited considerably from the wide measure of all-party support which the Agreement has attracted. He believes it is important that the Government should do all it reasonably can to maintain that support as the Bill passes through Parliament. He regards Mr Kinnock's welcome of the decision to defer the third reading/Committee stage by a week as an encouraging sign.
Nationality Title
3.
Mr Luce thinks that the atmosphere should be further improved if the Government is able to propose an amendment to the Bill to include the nationality title before it goes to the Lords. The Governor will be in touch with EXCO reactions to the new title later this week.
Preliminary debate of draft Order in Council
4. We await reactions to the Secretary of State's minute of 24 January to the Lord Privy Seal. I understand that the Home Secretary has intervened in support of our proposal.
Consultation with MPs
5. As I mentioned to you this afternoon, Mr Luce has agreed to see an all party group of MPs at 4 pm on Wednesday, 30 January to talk about the Bill. The meeting will take place in the CPA rooms and will be open to members of both Houses. I have spoken to Mr Powell about Mr Luce's briefing requirements.
Annual Report
6. Mr Luce does not wish to impose a significant amount of extra work on the Department. He does however believe that if there are continued demands for an annual report the Government should see whether it can offer something. The Governor discussed with both the Secretary of State and Mr Luce
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