TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 92

CONFIDENTIAL

18. One of these, which has been brought out in the

statement of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and

Legislative Councils issued on 29 November, is the natural

wish of the people of Hong Kong to be involved in the drafting of the Basic Law. The Basic Law will be passed by

the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of

China, and it is for the Chinese Government to undertake the

drafting of it. I am sure however that Chinese leaders will

have noted the concerns of the people of Hong Kong on this

score. Indeed Chinese spokesmen have indicated publicly that

the people of Hong Kong will be consulted, though the exact

form of consultation has yet to be made clear. We welcome

this.

19.

Another concern raised in the Assessment Office report

is about the role of the Joint Liaison Group. Fears have

CONFIDENTIAL