TNAG-1385-FCO40-1833-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 261

We

•

caruntled

The Government also undertook to in

introduce 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 views. 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.