TNAG-2043-FCO40-2911-Visits-by-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-C-1990 — Page 41

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 050100Z HONG KONG

TELNO 741

OF 05110OZ APRIL 90

CONFIDENTIAL

HAB. 026/18

RECEIVCO

· 9 APR 1990

DESK S

INDLA

36

162363 MDHOAN 6579

المايا

DIST?

MR MAUDE'S VISIT: AREAS OF INTEREST TO THE MEDIA

1.

MANY THANKS FOR THE FAX FROM THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES SUGGESTING AREAS OF INTEREST TO THE MEDIA. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE IN EITHER PROVIDING ANSWERS TO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS OR IN CLEARING OUR PROPOSED ANSWERS.

CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Q.

PERMISSION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO STAND IN ELECTIONS THIS MUST BE A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, CIVIL SERVANTS CANNOT STAND. THIS SEEMS SENSIBLE: CIVIL SERVICE MUST REMAIN APOLITICAL.

A.

Q.

A.

POSSIBLE CHANGES TO LEGCO AND EXCO RELATIONSHIP

NOTHING IN HONG KONG STANDS STILL. SURE THAT THE

RELATIONSHIP WILL CHANGE. THIS IS AN AREA TO BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY. HAVE HAD INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS ON THIS: PLENTY OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Q. INTRODUCTION OF

-

MINISTERIAL SYSTEM IN VIEW OF THE

CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE

REDUCTION OF EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

A.

KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN MOOTED. DISCOUNTED. WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE DEBATE PROGRESSES.

Q. PROSPECT OF EMERGENCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES

A.

GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SUPPLY US WITH A SUGGESTED REPLY TO

THIS QUESTION.

GRATEFUL FOR COMMENTS/REPLIES DESKBY 0609OOZ.

2.

HURD

YYYY

PAGE

1

CONFIDENTIAL