TNAG-2451-FCO40-3568-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 19

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032601 MDHIAN 6866

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ANNOUNCE, IN PUBLIC'S INTERESTS, CERTAIN POLICY DECISIONS BEFORE THE RELEVANT LEGAL PROVISION IS IN PLACE. PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH TIMELY INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT'S DECISIONS IMPROVES, RATHER THAN WEAKENS, THE GOVERNMENT'S CREDIBILITY.

(B) PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES WILL REMAIN ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. WHILST THE COMMANDER HAS AGREED THAT HE

WILL NOT/NOT NORMALLY ATTEND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS IN THE INTERIM, THIS WILL NOT/NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT THE COUNCIL'S OPERATION. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MUST BE ATTENDED BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS. UNQUOTE.

3.

GRATEFUL FOR COMMENTS DESKBY 10010OZ.

PATTEN

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

72

ΜΑΙΝ

63

.HK POLICY

HKD

PUSD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

.AND MS BROOKS

NEWS D

PLANNERS

RAD

PS

PS/MR GOODLAD

SIR J COLES

MR APPLEYARD MR HUM

ADDITIONAL

9

CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE CAOFF//MISS NEVILLE-JONES CAOFF//MR SIBSON

CAOFF //MS D CORNER CAOFF//MR CHARLTON

PS/PM

NNNN

2

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