TNAG-1714-FCO40-2393-Hong-Kong-amendments-to-Letters-Patent-and-Royal-Instruction-1988 — Page 134

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 0122

OF 1202COZ JANUARY 88

SECRET

MRA 873/1

15 JAN 1988

3:3

135306

MDHIAN 3056

TOP COPY

Q DIST ? 7

AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS.

AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

COUNCIL, AND THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE JUDICIARY AGREED AT JLG VIII, A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO THE LETTERS PATENT. SPECIFICALLY WE NEED TO :-

(A) PROVIDE FOR TWO MORE ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS (TO BE ELECTED FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES):

(B) REDUCE BY TWO THE NUMBER OF SEATS FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS

(C) PROVIDE FOR THE NEW RETIREMENT AGES FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES:

(D) PROVIDE FOR EXTENSIONS OF SERVICE BEYOND THE AGE OF 65 FOR SUPREME COURT JUDGES.

IN ADDITION, THER IS A MATTER OUTSTANDING FROM THE LAST CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I.E. THE REPLACEMENT OF REFERENCES TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS.

2.

THE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THE TWO NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS IS URGENT. THE AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE IN PLACE BY APRIL TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS BEFORE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER. THE OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE NOT SO URGENT, BUT WE ASSUME YOU WOULD PREFER TO TAKE THEM TOGETHER IF POSSIBLE.

3

GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD LET US KNOW THE PRIVY COUNCIL'S TIMETABLE AND HOW MUCH TIME BEFORE THEIR MEETING YOU WOULD REQUIRE TO CONSIDER DRAFT AMENDMENTS. WE SHALL THEN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

WILSON

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