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It is disappointing that, despite all our efforts, the
Chinese side were still not able to agree by 12 March to a
date for talks or even to a date on which an announcement
of talks could be made. As we had forewarned them, the
Governor therefore published his proposals that day. A
copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Publication in the Official Gazette is only the first
step in the legislative process. Introduction of the Bill
into the Legislative Council would be a separate step. As
the Governor has said, we will have to judge, in the light
of developments, when to take that step. Thereafter, I am
sure that members of the Legislative Council would want to
discuss the draft legislation in great detail, in the light
of the various alternatives put forward before they reach a
decision.
Publication of the legislation should not make it more
difficult to begin talks with China. The Bill sets out the
Governor's proposals, which have been public since October,
in legislative form. This does not affect the basis for
talks with China, the need for such talks or our wish to
hold them. We have said that if we reached an
understanding with the Chinese side we would recommend this
to the Legislative Council.
We remain ready for talks at any time and I hope that
the Chinese side will be prepared to settle quickly on
arrangements for them. Britain has responsibility for the
administration of Hong Kong until 1997. Part of that
responsibility is to maintain the steady progress towards democracy in Hong Kong. We are open to discussions about
how to achieve that.
It will be for the Legislative Council to enact the necessary legislation. They will need to do so by the end of their present session in July, if the elections are to
be held on time. We have said that we will accept their