RESTRICTED
15.
Parliament and the Basic Law
It is correct that some Chinese spokesmen initially expressed
reservations about debates on the Basic Law in Parliament. But
subsequently the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that if Parliament
decided on a debate that was our affair. I believe the Chinese
Government now understand Parliament's direct interest in the Basic
Law, deriving from the authority given by Parliament to Her
Majesty's Government to sign the Joint Declaration. The Chinese
authorities did not raise any objection when the Hansard record of
the debate in another place was formally handled over to them.
RESTRICTED
151