TNAG-2734-FCO40-3942-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 200

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140416 MDHIAN 8675

IF ASKED ON WHETHER HKG WOULD SUSPEND DEBATE ON THE LEGISLATION BY LEGCO IF CHINA PROPOSED DISCUSSIONS OF THEM AFTER THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO LEGCO:

LEGCO IS, UNDER THE RULES OF PROCEDURE, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ITS OWN BUSINESS.

IF ASKED ON WHETHER HKG WOULD WITHDRAW THE LEGISLATION FROM LEGCO IN THE EVENT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA:

WE HAVE SAID THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS.

4. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR AND PEKING'S COMMENTS ON PARAGRAPHS 2 AND 3 ABOVE, DESKBY 09010OZ.

5.

UKREP JLG CONCURS.

PATTEN

YYYY

MAIN

.HK POLICY

HKD

PUSD

FED

64

DISTRIBUTION

64

NTCD

PLANNERS

RAD

PS

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

./MS BROOKS AND MR GILES

NEWS D

PS/MR GOODLAD SIR J COLES MR HUM

NNNN

3

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