ARYABS
CONFIDENTIAL
Section 1 State (124
Blax
Mr Ham, HKD The Sevetary of State
nted this, but it has now been overtaken
•
FROM: CO Hum
DATE:
•
Private Secretary
CC:
6 July 1988
PS/Lord Glenarthur
(PS/Mnoggar
Mr McLaren
PRU
12
News Dept
HUB: Hola. -7901 1900
DESK OFFIC.
INDEA
HONG KONG: DEBATE ON THE BASIC LAW...
Слал
Crim
2
1. I understand that the debate on the Basic Law, which was expected to take place on 15 July, may be postponed to the autumn. If this happens, we shall need to consider how public opinion in Hong Kong could be reassured that the postponement does not reflect a lack of Parliamentary interest in the Basic Law and in Hong Kong generally.
2.
A debate in the autumn (say the end of October) would be outside the public consultation period which ends in September. But it would be comfortably within the next stage in the process, during which the Basic Law Drafting Committee will be revising the draft to take account of views expressed. Their aim is to submit the revised draft to the NPC Standing Committee by the end off the year.
3.
If the debate does not go ahead, it would be helpful if the Business Statement could make it clear that the Debate has been postponed, not cancelled, and that the intention is to adopt a timing which will allow the House of Commons to make the most - effective input to the drafting process.
I recommend that if asked about the postponement, News Department take the following line:
4.
CONFIDENTIAL