HONG KONG
LEGISLATIVE 香港立法局————————————一九八九年七月五日
COUNCIL
5 July 1989
93
It is no mean achievement to have secured the wholehearted support of the FAC for our policy on Vietnamese boat people. Until the members of the FAC came to Hong Kong it was difficult enough to persuade any backbench Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom that there was a problem over the Vietnamese boat people let alone get them accept that Parliament should be doing anything about it. The statement in the conclusion of the report, I quote, "we believe that, in the absence of any significant levels of voluntary repatriation however regrettable it may be, there is no alternative to mandatory repatriation for those who are screened out" represents a major step forward in gaining understanding and acceptance of our policy. We are most grateful, Sir, for their support but it is clear to me that it would not have come about had we not put our case to them clearly and strongly. Here at least we can record a
success.
I turn now to the question of political reform. The FAC report makes quite radical proposals for the development of the political system in Hong Kong up to 1997. But in making these proposals the report stresses, I quote again, "we also believe even more strongly that Hong Kong people must be allowed to decide on their own system of government before 1997 as well as after 1997."
Sir, there is, I believe, general agreement in the community that the development of democracy should be speeded up in the run-up to 1997. We accept that view, and will now be re-examining the decisions contained in the 1988 White Paper concerning the composition of the Legislative Council in 1991. In so doing we will be considering not only the number of members to be directly elected at that time but also the position of officials, and the numbers of appointed members and those elected through functional constituencies.
It is most important that any proposals for a faster pace of democracy have the full support of this community. I am sure that Members of this Council will take the lead in building on the consensus inside and outside this Chamber which will provide the Government with a clear view from the people of Hong Kong on which to base its decisions.
Recent events have highlighted concerns within the community over their rights and freedoms. Understandably so. The FAC report recommends that the Hong Kong Government introduce a Bill of Rights as soon as the work on the review of the existing laws makes it practicable. Sir, this is our intention. We will be introducing a Bill of Rights in an appropriate form as soon as possible. As you, Sir, have indicated in your recent statement to this Council you will be saying more about this in your October speech.