- 2
preparations to go. Figures obtained from the Australian Commission, and the Canadian Commission show that the number of Hong Kong emigrants in 1985 (the year after the signing of the Joint Declaration) dropped a little 1986 and quite dramatically in emigration figures are confirmed by for Certificates of No Criminal Royal Hong Kong Police Force. These Annex 2.
but rose substantially in 1987. These increases in the number of applications Conviction obtained from the statistics are set out in
We believe that the loss of confidence on the part of Hong Kong people is due to the actions of both the British and the Chinese Governments. We will summarize the failings of both governments under separate headings.
Breach of promises on the part of the British Government
(a)
Promises made
(i)
"The government and Special
legislature
of
legislature of Hong Kong
Administrative
comprised of local
Region shall be inhabitants...
The
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be constituted by elections.
The executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the
legislature."
Joint
Sino-British
Declaration
(ii)
"During the
years immediately ahead, the
(iii)
representative
Sir
government of Hong Kong will be developed on increasingly
lines." Geoffrey Howe, Foreign Secretary 20th April,
1984 in Hong Kong
was
Both my hon. Friends referred to the question of accountability. One important way in which we can contribute to the ability of the Hong Kong people to strengthen their autonomy and their confidence is through the evolution of representative institutions. Steady progress has already been made on this front in recent years.
An elected element
first introduced in to administration at the district level in 1982. On ly last week plans to strengthen further the elective content of local government were announced in Hong Kong. This will be followed by a Green Paper this summer making proposals to develop the representative status of the two ma in central Government
the Executive
institutions
to
Council and the Legislative Council. All that will
confidence, the autonomy of the
help
self-confidence and
strengthen
people." Richard Luce, Minister of State with special responsibility for Hong Kong, May, 1984 in the House of Commons
25th