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MDHIAN 9709
WILL BE ABOLISHED AND REPLACED BY ADDITIONAL ELECTED SEATS. WHILST THE TALKS ARE CONTINUING, IS THE BRITISH/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TRYING TO CREATE A FAIT ACCOMPLI?
A1. CERTAINLY NOT TRUE. CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU HAVE SAID,
WE ARE TAKING THIS STEP IN THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA AND NOT TO PREJUDICE THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS.
Q2. WHY THE NEW DEADLINE SHOULD BE 30 APRIL 1994 AND NOT
LATER ?
A 2 THE PROPOSED SUBMISSION DATE OF 30 APRIL 1994 IS BASED
ON THE PRACTICAL NEED TO COMPLETE WITHIN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION (WHICH WILL END IN JULY 1994) ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AND STATUTORY PROCEDURES SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN SEE NOTE SQUARE BRACKETS END FOR SETTING THE MC CONSTITUENCIES. THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE 1995 MC ELECTIONS WILL USE THE 1994 FINAL VOTER REGISTER WHICH BY LAW MUST BE PUBLISHED BEFORE 8 AUGUST 1994 AND INCLUDE DETAILS OF ELECTORS' MC CONSTITUENCIES.
SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN NOTE:
(I) THE PROCEDURES INCLUDE:
(II)
-
GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION
OF BEC'S RECOMMENDATIONS
GAZETTAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL'S DECISION CAN ORDER WHICH IS
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION)
SCRUTINY OF THE ORDER BY LEGCO WITHIN
28 DAYS (WHICH COULD BE EXTENDED).
THE NEW DEADLINE ONLY ALLOWS THE ADMINISTRATION MINIMAL TIME (JUST OVER TWO MONTHS) TO COMPLETE THESE PROCEDURES FOR SETTING THE MC CONSTITUENCIES BEFORE
THE CLOSE OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE
SESSION IN JULY 1994. SQUARE BRACKETS END
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