TNAG-1407-FCO40-1882-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 74

K

CONFIDENTIAL

The purpose of the debates is to allow Parliament to put forward

views on the draft Order in Council attached to the White Paper

while it is still in a form in which it can, if necessary, be

amended. I doubt if we need a substantive motion for this and

given the very limited room we have for manoeuvre within the

terms of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong

Act 1985, it would not be helpful to leave ourselves open to

amendments either from the Opposition or Government supporters.

I see advantage therefore in a debate on the adjournment in the

Commons if that were acceptable and a take note motion in the

Lords.

I should be grateful to know whether it will be possible to arrange

a debate in the Commons on the White Paper before the Christmas

recess on the lines I have suggested, followed by one in the

Lords.

I am copying this letter to the Prime Minister and to other OD (K) colleagues, and also to John Wakeham and Bertie Denham

and to Sir Robert Armstrong.

CONFDENTIAL

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