CONFIDENTIAL
Timing
13. In order to maintain the timetable leading to elections in Hong Kong in September 1985 it is important that the electoral bill should be published in Hong Kong on 1 March. The earliest date on which a full OD (K) could be called is 26 February, which would probably make the 1 March deadline impossible. In view of the shortness of time, I hope that if you and other colleagues agree with my recommendations we might clear the matter out of committee. If however colleagues
feel that a discussion is necessary a time has been
pencilled in on 26 February.
Conclusions
14. I invite my colleagues to agree that
15.
(1) We should not insist that reserve powers of
legislation be created for the Governor.
(2) We should press the Governor to agree that a power
of dissolution of the legislature at any time
(followed by elections within a specified and short
period) should be provided for in the amendments to
the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions.
I am copying this minute to our colleagues on OD( K )
and to Sir Robert Armstrong.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
19 February 1985
CONFIDENTIAL
GEOFFREY HOWE
i
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