SECRET
MDHIAN
144164
03
4. We also presented to Members our proposal to extend the deadline for the BEC to submit its recommendations on the 1995 MC constituency boundaries (second TUR). I said that the proposal highlighted the complexity of time-table management and the distance we were prepared to go to give more time for the talks. The Chief Secretary commented that it would be irresponsible to allow the BEC to draw up recommendations which bore no relationship whatsoever to what we had put forward to the community and the Chinese. After a short discussion, in which no one dissented on this point, Members agreed to extend the BEC submission deadline to 30 April 1994 as proposed, though some expressed concern that this might create the impression that the overall deadline for reaching agreement was being relaxed. I shared this concern, and concluded that when we announced the amendment bill on 20 October, we would probably need to deal carefully with the overall time-table as well.
5. In view of paragraph 4 above and second TUR, I should be grateful if Peking would, as agreed, take action on 13 October to inform the Chinese that we are extending the BEC deadline.
PATTEN
YYYY
MAIN
SINGLE COPIES
HKD //HD FED//HD
NEWS//HD
लललल
DISTRIBUTION
9
PS
PS//MR GOODLAD SIR J COLES
MR HUM
PAGE
SECRET
2
THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO... (1)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.