CONFIDENTIAL
1.28
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 08003OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 1698
OF 071506Z DECEMBER 92
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
141057 MDHOAN 5377
TOP COPY Q DIST?
(Ray)
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YOUR TELNO 2831: HKG CONTRACTS STRADDLING 1997: LEGCO QUESTION
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1 Your proposed answer to part (A) may give the impression that you would be prepared to provide the figures if the Chinese spelled out the categories. You might consider an alternative along the following Lines (if true) quote it is not possible to give the figures in answer to parts (A) and (C) of the Honourable Member's question as no central register of such information is kept unquote.
2.
We note that in part (B) of your reply that you have correctly brought out the point that we have discussed next word underlined major contracts with the Chinese. Would there be any advantage in turning this around slightly to make clear that the Chinese have asked for discussion only in respect of major franchises?
3. We have considered further the line set out in A1 of out telno 948. This is because there is some doubt about whether the continuation after 1997 of common law and thus the law of contract would mean that individual government contracts concluded before 1997 would also remain valid thereafter. faxing to Edwards, LO(IL), and to Peking the legal advice we have received on this point and would be grateful for your views. This advice does not affect your factual answer to part (B) of the LegCo question, but it may be relevant to supplementaries.
HURD
We are
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