SECRET
SECRET
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 26
OF 0814OOZ JAN 92
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
pa.
163474 MDLOAN 3716
TOP COPY Q DIST?
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM RICKETTS, HKD
PEKING PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
UKREP JLG PERSONAL FOR PAUL
YOUR TLENO 3931′ OF 27 DECEMBER 1991: COLONIAL LAWS VALIDITY ACT
1.
THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING UP THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEGUN TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE ISSUES RAISED. HOWEVER WE NOTE THAT YOU DO NOT MENTION (NOR DID WE CONSIDER IN 1987) THE EXISTING OPTION UNDER ARTICLE X OF THE LETTERS PATENT OF YOUR RESERVING FOR THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE QUEEN'S PLEASURE (BY ORDER IN COUNCIL OR THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE) ANY SUCH BILL PASSED BY LEGCO. YOU COULD RESERVE THE BILL EITHER ON YOUR OWN DISCRETION OR ON INSTRUCTIONS EG FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
2. DO YOU JUDGE THAT SUCH AN AD HOC RESERVING WOULD CREATE A MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDUAL POWERS, COMPARABLE TO REFUSING ASSENT?
HURD
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
64
MAIN
60
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
RAD
HKD
PUSD
HD/FED NEWS D
PLANNERS
PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
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