TNAG-1359-FCO40-1800-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1985 — Page 262

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NPC MEMBERSHIP

The Attorney

General noted that the

new

Electoral Provisions Ordinance would retain the

provision

Parliament.

disqualifying members

of

a foreign

The question of NPC membership

would

therefore certainly be raised in the context of the

Bill. He had already

questions on the subject.

received a number of press

The Governor considered that

it was important to answer in a way which did not quote

the specific provisions of the law. It would be very

damaging to have a public debate on whether China was a

'foreign' country.

2.

among

After some discussion, the consensus

Members was that, in response to questions, it

it should,

for the time being, be said that it would not be

possible under present arrangements for a member of the

NPC to become a member

member of the Legislative Council and

that any change would raise issues of policy which would

require careful consideration. The Governor said there

would be a need for the Council to consider

to consider the issue

more substantially at a later date, given that it would

be raised in the context of the Electoral Provisions

legislation.

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