HONG KONG BILL : NATIONALITY
04014
CONFIDENTIAL
USE OF ORDER IN COUNCIL PROCEDURE
LINE TO TAKE
As my rt hon and learned friend, the Member for Surrey Fast said in
the House yesterday the Hong Kong Bill must be enacted in time to
allow us to ratify the agreement on the future of Hong Kong by 30
June. I t is simply not possible in the time available to include
full details of all the legislative amendments that will be
necessary for the implementation of the commitments which on 5
December the House unanimously agreed that we should accept.
Nevertheless, the Government considers it right that the Bill should
contain a clear indication of all the legislation that will be
required.
[IF PRESSED THAT THIS PROCEDURE LIMITS DETAILED CONSIDERATION BY
PARLIAMENT]
It is proposed that Orders made under this section of the Bill
should be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure, which
will allow full opportunity for debate in both Houses.
CONFIDENTIAL