5:3
The form which democratic government eventually takes in Hong Kong is likely to command more support if it develops out of existing traditions of consultation, and builds on the experience of democracy gained in local elections, and in the existing limited number of elections to the Legislative Council from functional and other constituencies. The rapid introduction of
more democratic process is the unambiguous responsibility of Government. The search for a consensus must not be used as a delaying tactic to postpone even further or to obstruct the introduction of democracy.
5:4
Her Majesty's Government has recognised that the Basic Law under which Hong Kong will be governed after 1997 should fully reflect the wishes of Hong Kong people, which appear to be in favour of the introduction of a form of Government in which a majority of seats in the Legislative Council are filled by direct election. It is therefore incumbent on Her Majesty's Government to declare in its discussions with the People's Republic of China that this worthy and admirable objective is non negotiable.
5:5
Her Majesty's Government must not allow itself to be deflected from its objective of introducing directly elected government to Hong Kong at an early date by diversionary counter proposals or by arguments about the precise form of the electoral system. The least that can be expected is a Government:
a:in which the majority of seats in the Legislative Council are directly elected, and
b:in which the Legislative Council is fully represented in the composition of an Executive Council, which itself will be answerable to the Legislative Council.
6. Restoration of the Rights of Citizenship to Hong Kong British Passport Holders.
6:1
In 1962 when Britain was being pressed to accept thousands of immigrants from former colonies in Africa, the British Government passed the first of several Acts which also had the effect of unilaterally taking away from British citizens in Hong Kong the right of abode in Britain. At that time there appears to have been little protest in Hong Kong. 1997 was still a long way off, and very few from Hong Kong wanted to go to live in the United Kingdom anyway. Perhaps what was not foreseen at the time was that this series of Acts would render the British citizenship of Hong Kong British Passport Holders almost meaningless and would leave British subjects in Hong Kong defenceless and without rights.
6:2
There is no evidence that there has been any widespread change about the desire to go to live in Britain. The evidence points in the other direction. The vast majority of Hong Kong people want to stay in Hong Kong and would prefer to live in Hong Kong, which is their home, and which they have built into a prosperous country.
6:3
Recent events in China have understandably led Hong Kong people to ask whether the freedom and individual liberties they now enjoy and which they hope to extend, will be arbitrarily taken