TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 7

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PS/Mr Luce

CONFIDENTIAL

Ca 25/6

FROM:

WG EHRMAN,

HKD

DATE:

24 JUNE 1985

S&

A

B

C

HONG KONG: LEGCO (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL

1. Further to my submission of 21 June, Hong Kong have now confirmed that the Bill will proceed to its Committee Stage and Third Reading on 26 June. Hong Kong also advise that UMELCO have

decided not to proceed with an amendment to Clause 8(3) of the Bill.

This Clause empowers the President of the Council to issue

administrative instructions to control public conduct in the Council

Chamber. "Justice" and other legal groups have proposed that this

power be made subject to Council resolution.

2.

Hong Kong telno 1245 indicates that Mr Morris may be expected to raise one other legal objection to the Bill namely, that Clause

19 (A) should not make it an offence to seek to influence members in

regard to a Bill etc intended to be submitted" before Council.

Hong Kong do not consider it appropriate to amend the Cluase to

remove this reference, and Legal Advisers consider the present wording to be fully appropriate (to allow illegal influence over Bills about to be brought forward would be as damaging to

legislative processes as in cases where Bills are already under debate).

3. Hong Kong anticipate that Mr Morris may press

Mr Morris may press for further delay. The arguments against this are covered in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the

points annexed to my submission of 21 June.

4.

Mr Leeks of this Department will attend Mr Luce's meeting.

24 June 1985

011/12

LKK RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 5 JUN1985

OFFICER

PA

Ck

L.e. Emman

PECISTRY W G Ehrman

Hong Kong Department