26. UNDER THE NORMAL AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE FOR MAKING AN ORDER IN COUNCIL, I.E. WHEN PARLIAMENT IS INVITED TO APPROVE IT BY AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION, IT 10 NOT POSSIBLE TO MAK
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT ORDER. THE HOUSE WOULD VOTE ON THE DRAFT
ORDER PRESENTED, AND COULD ADOPT OR REJECT IT IN ITS ENTIRETY. BUT
THE PROCEDURE TO BE ADOPTED IN THE CASE OF THE HONG KONG (3RITISH
NATIONALITY) ORDER WILL BE QUITE SIFFERENT. VOTING UNDER THE
AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE WILL BE PRECEDED BY PRELIMINARY
DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT.
WHEN IS THE DRAFT ORDER LIKELY TO BE DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT↑
27. THE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA FOR 1985/86 IS NOT YET DETERMINED. BUT
FIRST DEBATES ARE LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR,
FOLLOWED BY CONSIDERATION OF VIEWS EXPRESSED AND FINAL DEBATES
UNDER THE AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE PROBABLY IN FEBRUARY
OR MARCH NEXT YEAR.
IS LEGCO GOING TO DEBATE THE DRAFT ORDER?
28. THIS IS A MATTER FOR LEGCO. UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE MOST LIKELY
TO SEE A DEBATE ON IT.
CAN DISTRICT BOARDS DEBATE THE DRAFT ORDER?
29. THIS A MATTER FOR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT BOARDS. IF THEY DO WISH TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT ORDER, SECURITY BRANCH WILL MAKE SURE THAT SUBJECT OFFICERS ARE AVAILABLE TO EXPLAIN PROVISIONS AND TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS FROM BOARD MEMBERS.
WILL THE GOVERNMENT.SET UP A SPECIAL OFFICE TO COLLATE AND ASSESS
PUBLIC OPINION?
30. NO SPECIAL OFFICE WILL BE SET UP BUT BOTH SECURITY BRANCH AND THE NATIONALITY SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATELY RE-INFORCED TO DEAL WITH THE COLLATION OF PUBLIC OPINION. IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY QUERIES, THEY ARE WELCOME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SUBJECT OFFICERS IN SECURITY BRANCH (5-95296 AND 5-951893) OR THE NATIONALITY SECTION OF IMMIGRATION
DEPARTMENT (3-7328503).
WHAT ARE THE PRIVILEGES AND LIABILITIES OF COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS?
31. COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS MAY BE PRIVY COUNCILLORS OR MY BE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT, MAY SERVE AS MEMBERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES, AND ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS AND
FELLOWSHIP PLAN AND FOR THE AWARD OF HONOURS ETC. LIABILITIES INCLUDE JURY SERVICE, AND EXTRADITION ETC.
HAVE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BEEN CONSULTED ON THE DRAFT ORDER?
5
CONFIDENMAL
/32.