UNCLASSIFIED
126501
MDHIAN 3314
STATUTORY AND THEIR DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PART OF THE FORMAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE PARTICULAR DISCUSSIONS THEY ARE NOW PROPOSING TO HOLD WERE NOT INSTIGATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ANY RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY LEGCO PANELS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE GOVERNMENT OR ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL CANNOT TAKE ACTION ON THE BILL WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON 12 MARCH, SINCE THE BILL HAS NOT BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE FORUM TO PROCESS ANY BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE FULL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ANY BILLS COMMITTEE THAT MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY IT TO DEAL WITH A PARTICULAR
BILL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL DISCUSSIONS CANNOT IN ANY WAY PREJUDICE THE OUTCOME OF THE ONGOING TALKS WITH CHINA ON THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. THE TALKS WERE PROPOSED BY BRITAIN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND BOTH THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HOPE THEY LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL BE REGARDED AS OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.'
PATTEN
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
65
DISTRIBUTION
72
.HK POLICY
HKD
PUSD
FED
LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS//MR GILES NEWS D
NTCD
PLANNERS
RAD
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD
SIR J COLES MR HUM
ADDITIONAL
7
CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE (DIO)
CAOFF/ MISS NEVILLE - ICIES
7222
CAOFF//MR SIBSON
PS NO 10
·
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2
UNCLASSIFIED