7
If subsequently,
the
direction of the public debate or growing interest in the proposal suggests that the discusssion paper should be more widely circulated then that could then be done.
8
It is presently intended to publish the discussion paper in mid August in English only and to send the paper, together with a covering letter from the Solicitor General inviting responses, to the persons and groups named in Annex B. As it
As it would be released at a time when many potential respondents will be on leave and absent from Hong Kong, three months should be allowed for submissions to be made in
response.
9
At the conclusion of
conclusion of the consultation period all submissions would be evaluated and a report made to the
Council.
Chinese Reaction
10
The Political Adviser has advised: "We would expect the Chinese to be highly suspicious of the public floating by the Government of a move that could
that could impose new limitations on the executive power of the Hong Kong Government. They could well see this as part of a fabric of measures to impose restrictions on the post-1997 executive, Just as they fear that the political reform process is a means to this end. They might argue that what is being proposed could be a significant change to the legal system", the continuation of which, basically unchanged, is stipulated in the Joint Declaration. If the Chinese did
take this position, and since the result of public
show
consultation is almost certain
certain to
that most of those interested in the subject are in favour of interim declarations against the Crown, the Government could find itself in an awkward position. Timing is a particular problem. On the proposed timing, publication could coincide exactly with any difficulties that arise from the political review. One option would be to delay a decision on publication until after the conclusion of the current political review.'
Publicity
11
10
It is proposed that a press release will be issued on the publication of the discussion paper advising on the background of the paper and that copies of the discussion will be made available on request.
CONFIDENTIAL