TNAG-2991-FCO40-3566-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 26

SECRET

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 26-28 JULY

BRIEF NO 1: GOVERNOR'S WORKING SUPPER ON 26 JULY

CHECKLIST OF POINTS TO MAKE

Most grateful for your telegram with initial thoughts on handling the political issues (attached). Share your broad approach.

Composition of ExCo

Are

See the attraction of a smaller, more cohesive ExCo. you confident that you can find authoritative people in the Community who would be prepared to stand up (if necessary against elected politicians) and defend the Government's policies publicly?

Hinge body between ExCo and LegCo

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Will be a vital part of your new structure. pitch it so that it is:

-

Can you

influential enough to attract the LegCo politicians and give them an incentive to cooperate with you; but not so powerful as to hijack policy making and overshadow the (unelected) ExCo?

your view of likely Chinese reaction? No doubt they would prefer the present, CRC-based ExCo. But should be possible to present changes to them as necessary to preserve Executive-led Government until 1997, as not handing any more power to LegCo, and as not pre-empting arrangements in the future SAR Government (where the Chief Executive will not be in the same position as a Governor, since he will have been chosen through consultations or elections locally).

BOYABH/1

SECRET