XN000022-1991-12-18 — Page 15

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1991

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REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

COVERS ALSO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION SYSTEM

* *

CURRENT

REVIEW OF

THE GOVERNMENT WILL, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, CONDUCT A ROOT AND BRANCH REVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT ELECTIONS IN THESE CONSTITUENCIES TAKE PLACE, AS IN THE CASE OF ALL OTHER ELECTIONS, IN A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL MANNER.

THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL C.C. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SZE,

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, MR SZE

INTO ADDED THAT, IN DOING SO, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE

ACCOUNT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ELECTIONS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES KARLIER THIS YEAR.

EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS WITH CHINA EXPLAINED

THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN, MR STRACHAN SAID IF A DECISION WAS TAKEN TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS, - THEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE NORMAL SAFEGAURDS WOULD BE PRESERVED.

AS REGARDS WHETHER THERE WERE ANY EXISTING PROVISIONS FORBIDDING THE EXTRADITION OF PEOPLE FOR POLITICAL REASONS TO CHINA, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY RELEVANT HONG KONG LEGISLATION WAS THE CHINESE EXTRADITION ORDINANCE.

"THIS IS NOT IN USE. IT PROVIDES THAT A PERSON SHALL NOT BE SURRENDERED FOR OFFENCES OF A POLITICAL CHARACTER," HE SAID.

OF

"IF THIS ORDINANCE WAS TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND 1997, THEN WE WOULD WISH TO DISCUSS THIS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR STRACHAN ADDED.

"I

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