ORDS
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
H
House of Lords Westminster
6.
Berlin1
Criticss of the draft Basic Law were inevitable
from the start; it is a detailed and complex document with
three
172 articles and annexes and it will be subjected to scrutiny and placed under the magnifying class many times over the next two years or so. The Chinese authorities anticipate this and we expect that they will be receptive to reasonable argument.
S
We should pay tribute to the members of the Drafting Committee who have worked hard for the last three years to produce this draft and to bring together and blend two dissimilar systems of law. The words which created confidence in the Joint Declaration were the promise of a "high degree of autonomy" for Hong Kong under the new dispensation. Do Her Majesty's Government believe that the draft Basic Law/ fulfil
in principle
that promise? I have already mentioned the concern which exists as 1997 gets nearer.Therex The clearest evidence of this is emigration which has I believe been running at to 4000 a month. Perhaps the Noble Lord can give us the latest figure? The Government of Hong Kong, Her Majesty's Government and indeca the Chinese Government must consider what may be necessary to stem this outflow. Could it be more directly elected members
of the Legislative Council?
!