CONFIDENTIAL
15
Indirect electin a proportion the Legislative Comil
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The situation in Hong Kong is not static. The Government of Hong Kong is moving ahead with the progressive
strengthening of representative government in the
territory over the next 10 years. The first elections to
the Legislative Council will take place in September this
year and there will be a further review of the electoral
process in two years time.
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We, for our part, are moving towards the establishment of the Joint Liaison Group provided for in Annex II to the Joint Declaration. We will need to discuss the practical arrangements for its creation and other aspects outlined in Annex II with the Chinese Government before long. As soon as there is anything to announce in this respect the
Government will of course inform the House.
The
My Lords, we need to move rapidly to ratify the agreement. Paragraph 8 of the Joint Declaration provides that
ratification shall take place before 30 June 1985.
Government believe that the early ratification of the
agreement will further reinforce confidence in Hong Kong
which has, I am happy to say, already been visibly strengthened by the agreement.
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I commend t
comm
the House (this Bill which will enable the
government to ratify the agreement.
CONFIDENTIAL