(Not seen by Dimple)
PS/Mr Luce
CONFIDENTIAL
Ca 25/6
FROM:
WG EHRMAN,
HKD
DATE:
24 JUNE 1985
S&
A
B
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HONG KONG: LEGCO (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL
1. Further to my submission of 21 June, Hong Kong have now confirmed that the Bill will proceed to its Committee Stage and Third Reading on 26 June. Hong Kong also advise that UMELCO have
decided not to proceed with an amendment to Clause 8(3) of the Bill.
This Clause empowers the President of the Council to issue
administrative instructions to control public conduct in the Council
Chamber. "Justice" and other legal groups have proposed that this
power be made subject to Council resolution.
2.
Hong Kong telno 1245 indicates that Mr Morris may be expected to raise one other legal objection to the Bill namely, that Clause
19 (A) should not make it an offence to seek to influence members in
regard to a Bill etc intended to be submitted" before Council.
Hong Kong do not consider it appropriate to amend the Cluase to
remove this reference, and Legal Advisers consider the present wording to be fully appropriate (to allow illegal influence over Bills about to be brought forward would be as damaging to
legislative processes as in cases where Bills are already under debate).
3. Hong Kong anticipate that Mr Morris may press
Mr Morris may press for further delay. The arguments against this are covered in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the
points annexed to my submission of 21 June.
4.
Mr Leeks of this Department will attend Mr Luce's meeting.
24 June 1985
011/12
LKK RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 5 JUN1985
OFFICER
PA
Ck
L.e. Emman
PECISTRY W G Ehrman
Hong Kong Department