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improved.
This is precisely what we have done. I believe that
the detailed proposals now before the House represent a thorough,
fair and objective means of selecting those Hong Kong residents
whom it would be most damaging for the territory to lose and to
whom we hope to give confidence to remain there.
I have already written to over 60 Hon and Rt Hon Members who were
fortunate enough to catch your eye, Mr Speaker, during the
debates in this House, and to those who served on Committee, to
explain how the scheme now proposed by the Governor differs from
the one envisaged in the Explanatory Notes which the Government
made available during the passage of the Act.
For the benefit of others, I should like to say a few words about
the structure of the scheme and the principal changes which have
been made.
The Order is drafted in such a way that it could serve for the
duration of the selection process between now and 1997 without
amendment. But if it transpired that some adjustment to the
scheme is necessary, in the light of experience or of changing
needs in Hong Kong, a further Order would be laid before
Parliament.
The broad structure of the scheme remains as envisaged in the
Explanatory Notes. Subject to Parliament's approval the scheme
would consist of four classes, each of which would be given a
share of the 50,000 places. The General Occupational Class
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