H
Ο
F
LORDS
FROM
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
..
House of Lords Westminster
5.
Atie 64
Articles 105 and 107 need further careful discussion.
Furthermore,
The requirements to "maintain a basic balance between total
budgetary revenues and expenditure" and "to practise a low tur
dr
policy" seem to me to be appropriate in a constitutiona
docnout and could as we know only too well restrict the fireal
policies of a future administration.
Perhaps the Noble Lord
will give us his reaction to this provision?
I also read Annexes 1 and 2 with great interest."hese
deal with selecting the Chief Executive and constituting the
Legislative Council of th SAR. I am sure that there will b
subject of further discussion and it may be sugrented } ;+
i+
ther do pot muke adequate provision for direct elections.
Furthermore, Annex 3 needs careful thought as its
proposals may not provide for the continuity of government
through the transitional period. It seems to weigh for too
heavily on the si! of the Chinese Government in anointing
the executive.
The House will further recall thu'
the Joint Declaration provides that the executive shull be
"accountable" to the legislature. The Basic Law makes no
reference to this important constitutional requirement and no
doubt it will be taken up in the discussions which are proc eding,
!
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