MR LUCE'S MEETING WITH MPs, 1600 HOURS, WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY
HONG KONG BILL
Points to Make
1.
Glad of opportunity to brief you.
support So far.
Grateful for all party
Important for Hong Kong's sake to maintain it.
Next 12 years will have their problems: will not help Hong Kong if
Parliament is divided.
2.
For this reason, Government has sought to meet concerns
expressed Second Reading Debate:
(a) Have postponed Committee stage, Report stage and Third
Reading to allow time for Hong Kong opinion to react to new
nationality title and other aspects, and for MPs to consider.
(b) Are considering point made
Order in Council on nationality.
SO that Government can amend it
in Parliament.
at Second Reading on need for
debated in draft first,
if necessary after views given
to
ANNUAL DEBATE
3.
Also agree with those who argue that
continued commitment to Hong Kong.
demonstrate
Parliament must
But
Do not favour
annual report or annual debate for reasons already explained.
Government is committed to ensuring that debates take place in the
are matters of interest to discuss. [If pressed on
looking seriously at all
House when there
annual report]
possibilities.
Ministers
are
the