FCO 40/1833
committed to introducing the preliminary draft well in advance of this
date, to give time for Parliament and the people of Hong Kong to
assess it and to give their vieɣs. To meet this commitment we are
proposing that the debates on the White Paper should take place around
mid-December.
The Hong Kong Government have asked for a period of 8 weeks between
publication of the White Paper and draft Order and the first debates,
in order to allow time for opinion in Hong Kong to formulate. This
points to publication of the White Paper around mid-October. The
Hong Kong Government intend to publish it simultaneously in Hong
Kong.
I am copying this letter and enclosures to other OD(K) colleagues
out of Committee, and also to John Biffen, John Wakeham, Bertie Denham and Sir Robert Armstrong. I should be grateful to know whether you and other recipients are content. In order to allow time for printing and publication, it would be helpful if any comments could -reach
me by 11 October.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.