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The HK Daily News source said that another HK member appointed to the committee was said to be involved in the recent "collapse" of a local bank and was
now being investigated by the Police. Should the Police arrest this man, China not only would not interfere but would drop his name from the membership list.
As for the consultative committee, a source quoted by the Oriental Daily News said representatives of interest groups would be invited to join, and the NCNA HK branch was now looking for suitable candidates.
Many papers as well as the TV and radio stations interviewed HK members on the committee. They generally pledged to do their utmost to contribute to HK's prosperity and stability.
Mr Justice Simon Li believed that there would not be any conflict of views between HK and China on matters of principles but when it came to detailed arrangements, their views might differ and the drafting committee would tackle these differing views.
Lawyer Liu Yiu-chu said the Basic Law would have to accommodate the contradictions arising from the "one country, two systems" arrangements. The drafting committee members would have to face up to the contradictions and then tackle them.
Publisher Louis Cha said he would pay particular attention to provisions regarding press freedom. He stressed that freedom and the rule of law were fundamental to HK's stability and prosperity and hoped that they would be reflected in the Basic Law.
Accountant Sanford Yung hoped that he would use his professional knowledge to contribute to the drafting work and the stability and prosperity of HK.
Vice-chairman of HK Federation of Trade Unions Tam Yiu-chung, now in London attending a course on industrial relations, said he would focus his attention mainly on HK's political structure and labour relations. He said benefits for workers should be improved.
Umelco member Maria Tam said she would serve the drafting committee in her private capacity. But as a Umelco member, she would also pass on Umelco members' views to the committee and serve as a communication channel
between the two.
Ta Kung Pao publisher Fei Yimin hoped the committee members would work whole-heartedly to draw up a Basic Law which would take account of the practical situation in HK and which would be welcomed by HK people.
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