File 116
PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: 25 MAY
HONG KONG
Welcome talks with
China on Hong Kong electoral issues. They are progressing in a businesslike atmosphere. A fourth round will start on Friday.
- Our aim is to reach an understanding with China on arrangements to ensure that the 1995 elections will be fair,
open and acceptable to Hong Kong people.
- If we do reach an
understanding, the British and Hong Kong Governments will recommend this to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. It will be for them to pass the necessary legislation.
(Status of Hong Kong team members?)
The talks are between the two sovereign powers. Our team is led by the Ambassador in Peking, Sir Robin McLaren; but other British and Hong Kong officials are participating in these talks on exactly the same basis as they have in the past.
(Defensive: Will talks delay legislation?)
Governor and his Executive Council will take decisions on putting the legislation to LegCo in the light of progress in the talks.
We need to make good progress, so that legislation will be in place in time for the District Board elections in 1994.
J
SIR PERCY CRADOCK IN PEKING
Sir Percy Cradock is now a private individual. He is travelling to China in that capacity. And the decision to visit China at this time is entirely his own.
He is not an emissary from HMG to the Chinese authorities and is not carrying any message from HMG. Believe the Chinese are in no doubt about that.
HKB 011/6
RECEIVED IN DEGISTRY
IN.
25 MAY 1007
SCISTRY
15ap.pm.PR
SLM