TNAG-2286-FCO40-3289-Extension-of-Official-Secrets-Act-1989-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 154

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July 1997. We can explain the delay in extending the 1989

Act to Hong Kong as a simple administrative one. If

necessary, we could add that the Act was designed to

protect our secrets (from the Chinese among others) and is

therefore none of their business.

19.

Extension of the 1989 Act to Hong Kong would, of

course, provide a more acceptable baseline than section 2

of the 1911 Act from which to localise legislation, and

make it more difficult for the Chinese to argue for a

reversion to the 1911 provisions.

FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

20.

The application of the Official Secrets Act, 1989

to Hong Kong by Order in Council has no financial or

staffing implications.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

21.

Because of the nature of the changes proposed

there has been no public consultation on this issue.

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