}
LORDS
FROM
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
House of Lords Westminster
The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary does not
disagree with this ir principle. He said in another place on Janin
20th
"In duc course we need an element of direct elections-
modest proportion but certainly not going all the wON
The question is one of timing......on that there a difference of view..
We need to secure timet ble for progress."
I veree with Sir Geoffrey on that point about a timetable
but I do not want it to extend too far in' o the future.
What he seems to be saying is that he,the Foreign Secretary,
hus ro obection to direct elections but that he does not want
no
to throw a spanner into the works at a sensitive moment, when other
things are happening.
It us a sentiment with which all
former ministers must have sympathy. Perhaps Sir Geoffrey will
have something to say about this after his visit to Hong Kong.
ors points of concern which have been passed on to we
arc 18 f follows:
The authority given to the National People's Congress
to return or revoke laws by passed by the "eriola'ure or the 012
unde elé 45.
Bhat laws purged by the FTC on matters other than forei
uftairs ari defence will ap ly to Hong one. This da Articl
10
und noode to be look ut carefully as it could contravene Article 1.