TNAG-2455-FCO40-3576-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 63

Mr Ham PS/Mr Goodlad

Private Secretary

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MN Ba7/7

-1 OCT 1992

FROM: P F Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 1 October 1992

cc: PS/Baroness Chalker

Mr Cornish, News Dept Mr Bickham,

Special Advisers Mr Yaxley, HKGO

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HONG KONG: PRESENTATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. In preparation for the Governor's speech, I submit:

[a] draft letters from the Secretary of State to Dr Cunningham and Mr Ashdown which we would propose to have delivered as a courtesy on the evening of 6 October (the Governor will already have briefed Mr Ashdown, who is in Hong Kong this week, in general terms);

- a draft "Dear Colleague" letter on similar lines, together with a wide distribution list to MPs and peers with an interest in Hong Kong. I propose that this should be posted to home addresses where known, or delivered to the House of Commons, so as to arrive on the morning of 7 October.

2.

The Governor agrees with the texts of these letters. The distribution list also reflects comments from Hong Kong. It would be helpful if signed originals could be returned to the Department on 5 October for us to process.

3.

I also submit a draft letter to Number 10 in response to Stephen Wall's letter of 29 September asking to see a copy of the presentational material as soon as possible. I propose that our letter to Number 10 should cover a copy of the draft dear colleague letter; a set of bull points which could be circulated as guidance to Members of the Cabinet; and the text of the Governor's article to be published in the Times on 8 October (all attached to the draft letter). No 10 asked to receive this material by 2 October.

4.

Mr Goodlad has agreed to brief in advance by telephone those who may be approached by the media for instant comments

govs.proposals.con.bern

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