TNAG-2333-FCO40-3394-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Hong-Kong-Court-of-Final-Appeal-Hong-Ko-1991 — Page 4

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CABINET: MAURITIUS REPUBLIC BILL

Points to make

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- A Bill may be necessary to give effect in UK to Mauritius' change of status from a Realm to a Republic.

- Different parties in Mauritius have come to consider such a change. appropriate. Royal Family not unpopular. HRH The Princess Royal paid a highly succesful visit last week.

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Bill was introduced last Parliamentary Session in Mauritius.

Prime Minister Jugnauth failed to secure enough support from his ruling coalition. The result reflected other tensions rather than serious reservations on Republican status.

Governor-General announced reintroduction of Bill in 1990/1

Parliamentary Session in speech from the Throne in November 1990. But consider early passage unlikely because feathers have still to be smoothed. More likely in 1991/2.