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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 18 May 1988
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, once again this is a professional matter which I am sure the Director of Medical and Health Services would be prepared to consider if the evidence demonstrates that the need is there.
Consistency between the Basic Law of the future Special Administrative Region and the Sino-British Joint Declaration
4. MR. LAI asked (in Cantonese): Bearing in mind that the Hong Kong Govern- ment made a substantial contribution to the contents of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what measures is it now taking in the interests of Hong Kong people to help to ensure that the draft Basic Law of the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is consistent with the Joint Declaration?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, the drafting of the Basic Law is, of course, a matter for the Chinese Government. However, in his statement to Parliament in January introducing the annual report on Hong Kong, the Foreign Secretary made it clear that the British Government has the right to satisfy themselves that the eventual provisions of the Basic Law fully and accurately reflect the Joint Declaration. At present, we are carefully studying the Basic Law consultation draft. It is a complex document. If the Hong Kong Government considers that there were provisions which appeared to be inconsistent with the Joint. Declaration, it would make its views known to the Chinese authorities clearly and firmly in the most effective way. This would probably, Sir, be through the British Government.
MR. LAI (in Cantonese): Sir, the general public of Hong Kong feel that the draft Basic Law will have a very great effect upon them. What measures has the Administration taken to ensure that the interpretation of different provisions in the Basic Law is consistent between the two governments?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, I believe I have answered the question in my original answer. As I have said, we are studying the draft very carefully. If we do consider that there are provisions which appear to be inconsistent, we will take the action I have indicated.
MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, does the Administration intend to sponsor public opinion surveys in relation to those parts of the draft of the Basic Law where options are left open, for example, in relation to the formation of the first government, the selection of the chief executive, and the composition of the legislature, to make sure that the public's view on these matters can be gauged properly?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, we believe that the consultation process is a matter for the Chinese Government and the Basic Law Consultative Committee.
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