TNAG-2175-FCO40-3112-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-1990 — Page 224

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM:

DATE:

05 JUL 1930

fa Amolt

199

A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

5 July 1990

HKD 241/1 HKD241

12 JUL 1990

STRY

tumon Taken

CC:

Mr McLaren

Mr Burns

Mr Fifoot, Legal

Advisers

A

B

C

PS/Mr Maude

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an Cantet for

consulted this way

HONG KONG: BILL OF RIGHTS

1.

buther that

cantine to be fear responsibility for this measure ther

be pincipatt

teen

with 14C.

I submit a telegram to Hong Kong, which should ideally issue today, setting out some fundamental concerns about the' draft Bill of Rights, as it now stands.

2.

As you know, the draft Bill is due to go to ExCo early next week, prior to submission to LegCo on 25 July. Hong Kong have faxed to us the draft ExCo submission. Mr Fifoot has studied the drafts and has produced the attached minute,

commenting in detail.

3. I have discussed Mr Fifoot's minute, and its implications, with Mr McLaren and Mr Burns. Both agree that

it would be right to flag up these concerns to Hong Kong. It is becoming increasingly clear that there are major issues arising from the Bill of Rights which, given the tight timetable, are not receiving the attention they deserve. In view of the potentially serious implications, I

think Mr Maude should be consulted.

FIRPave

A R Paul

5 m

CC7ABQ/1

CONFIDENTIAL