Re: sgml-mode.el: html-close-tag

[Richard Stallman]

    - when I eval this code, it loads 'thingatpt (for thing-at-point
      'word) and 'mule-util (?).

Why does it load them?

    - there are three variables, and they are likely used "file-locally"
      (in <!-- Local Variables: ...). Should we still make them available
      via defcustom ?

Definitely.

     if so, which group should they be put in ? (sgml or
      html, which doesn't yet exist)

Probably use sgml.  It looks like there is not enough need for
a new group.