TNAG-1455-FCO40-1978-Hong-Kong-Letters-Patent-amendments-1986 — Page 33

40

GRS 195

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO PRIORITY PEKING

TELNO 630

OF 301645Z JUNE 86

INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

YOUR TEL NO 1107: AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT

1.

WE FEEL THAT ON BALANCE THERE WOULD BE MERIT IN YOUR

REVERTING INFORMALLY TO THE CHINESE TO EXPLAIN THAT HONG KONG DO

NOT INTEND AT THIS STAGE TO PURSUE THEIR PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF LEGCO. THEY WILL NO DOUBT NOTE THAT HONG KONG'S PROPOSAL IS NOT CARRIED THROUGH: THEY MAY BE PUZZLED, AND SURPRISED THAT WE HAVE NOT KEPT THEM INFORMED. THERE IS ALSO THE

USEFUL MORAL (NOT/NOT HOWEVER TO BE RUBBED IN) THAT IN CONSIDERING CHANGES TO THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM THE HKG MUST

INDEED MOVE BY CONSENSUS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS SUCH AS UMELCO.

2.

SUBJECT THEREFORE TO ANY COMMENTS FROM HONG KONG, GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD USE A SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE IN A LOW KEY WAY THAT WE AND HONG KONG HAVE RECONSIDERED OUR EARLIER PROPOSAL.FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH

UNOFFICIALS THE ISSUE WILL BE SHELVED FOR THE TIME BEING AND

CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 1987 REVIEW.

HOWE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED

LIMITED

COPIES TO:

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

HD/HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH DEPT (FE)

DEP/HD/PUSD

PS/MR RENTON

SIR W

MR WILSON

HARDING

-

CONFIDENTIAL

HRR 011118

RECEIVED IN REGÆTITY 12 AUG 1986

OFFICER

50

TRY

PA

ction Taken