1987-07-09 09:28 COMMS. OFFICE (GOV'T HSE)
852 5 845 0995
P.02
Sir,
Speech by The Hon. Michael Thomas, QC
Attorney General, in the Legislative Council
on Wednesday 8th July, 1987
I should like to intervene at this stage of the debate
to deal with the matters of law that Mr. Martin Lee has raised.
Others, including my friend the Chief Secretary, will deal with
the more general arguments that he has advanced and the political
considerations that justify the regulations in the form in which
they have been tabled. Members will however wish to have an
early assurance from the Government that they do not breach
international law in that form.
2.
I am sure all Members appreciate the trouble Mr. Martin
Lee has taken over this matter. It is now some three months
since Dr. Jayawickrama of the Hong Kong University suggested
that the form of legislation proposed in the white bill was not
compatible with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. This Covenant and its twin, the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
are expressly referred to in the Joint Declaration in the
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