The Rt Hon Sir Frederic Bennett, DL
No 2, Stone Buildings
Lincoln's Inn
London WC2A 3XB
Thank you for your letter of 24 November about Hong Kong.
I know that you have long taken an interest in China and Hong Kong. I understand your concern and am grateful to you for passing on the views of colleagues. We would, of course, prefer, in the interests of the community, to be able to proceed with arrangements for the 1994 and 1995 elections in
Hong Kong on the basis of agreement with China. We therefore pulled out all the stops during seven months of talks. But it is now necessary to get on with the legislation for the more immediate issues. That is why the Government has announced
draft legislation that will be introduced to the Legislative Council on
15 December.
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When I reported to the House on the developments on
6 December, every single Member who spoke, from all sides of the House, endorsed our approach. Leaders of both main parties in the Legislative Council have also expressed support for the way we plan to proceed. It will be up to the Legislative Council to consider the legislation: prospects are that they will support it.
but the
We want to continue discussion with the Chinese side on the
remaining, more difficult, aspects and have proposed a further round of talks for that purpose.