TNAG-2191-FCO40-3128-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 32

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

position to make a firm recommendation to the Home Secretary on this: perhaps he might canvas; 100.

Approved secondment scheme

11.

Although the Foreign Secretary's minute of 2 March suggested that the approved secondment scheme should be retained to cover 1000 places, the Home Secretary believed that Mr Hurd might reconsider that view. The Home Secretary may therefore wish to

return to this point at the Prime Minister's meeting.

Timing of the Bill

12. The Home Secretary will wish to bear in mind that the present timetable, with a target of introduction before the Easter recess, is based on the assumption that the Hong Kong authorities will be able to co-operate with the selection scheme, and confirm their agreement to it without much difficulty. Clearly this timetable may slip if much negotiation is needed with Hong Kong. (And, on a worst case scenario, if the Governor did not feel able to operate the type of scheme that was proposed, then some major modifications might be needed to the Bill).

Next steps

13.

The Governor happens to be in London for routine business on Thursday this week. Depending on the outcome of tomorrow's meeting, it may be necessary to take this opportunity to explain to him the shape the scheme is taking.

AIL

A J LANGDON

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL