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17.
We are now at the beginning of a lengthy period of consultation. The present draft, published on 28 April, will be open for comment for five months. During that period delegations of drafters from the mainland will visit Hong Kong for intensive programmes of consultation. The first such delegation is at present in Hong Kong. A timetable has been drawn up to ensure that consideration is given systematically and in turn to each part of the draft. Thereafter the draft will be revised. A second draft
will be published in 1989 and the entire consultation process repeated before a further revision of the text is formally submitted to the National People's Congress in 1990 to be passed into law. That my Lords is in total no small consultative process. We heartily welcome the very considerable efforts in this direction made by the Chinese authorities.
18.
I am sure that the people of Hong Kong will participate fully in the consultation exercise and make known their views on the draft It is important that they do. There is every reason to believe that those responsible for the drafting of the Basic Law will be receptive to their views. We are assured that the draft is open to amendment in the light of the comments which are expressed.
19. Where Her Majesty's Government are concerned, I have explained our relationship to the drafting process. The Basic Law has already figured in a number of our exchanges with the Chinese Government. We are grateful for their readiness to brief us on
Chinese Government progress and to explain their intentions.
spokesmen have encouraged us to convey our comments on the text to them through diplomatic channels, together with comments from the various organs of the Hong Kong Government. We shall certainly do this, in pursuance of the contacts we have already had.
20.
In particular, where we conclude that there are elements in the text which are not consistent with the Joint Declaration, we are bringing these to the attention of the Chinese Government and shall continue to do so. Our representations will be firm. But I think your Lordships will understand if I suggest that they can most effectively be made in confidence through the various channels open
to us.
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