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THE HOUSE WOULD WANT TO GIVE DETAILED CONSIDERATION TO THE ORDERS
THAT WE PROPOSE TO MAKE THEM SUBJECT TO AFFIRMATIVE PROCEDURE.
AS THE HOUSE KNOWS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT DOWN SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD
CLEARLY TAKE CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF POINTS WHICH ENJOYED WIDESPREAD
SUPPORT AMONG HON MEMBERS.
25. THE BILL DOES NOT IN ITSELF INCLUDE THE FULL AND FINAL
PROVISIONS ON THIS SUBJECT. LET ME EXPLAIN WHY.
26. THE AGREEMENT SET A TIME LIMIT FOR RATIFICATION, WHICH MUST
TAKE PLACE BEFORE 30 JUNE 1985. THE BILL MUST HAVE PASSED
THROUGH BOTH HOUSES AND RECEIVED ROYAL ASSENT IN TIME FOR THAT TO
TAKE PLACE. THAT IS WHY IT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED SO SOON AFTER
SIGNATURE.
27. ALTHOUGH THE UK MEMORANDUM LAYS DOWN THE MAIN LINES OF WHAT IS NECESSARY, THERE IS STILL DETAILED WORK TO BE DONE IN FRAMING
LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO IT. AS I HAVE SAID, THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH REQUIRE CAREFUL THOUGHT AND CONSULTATION, NOT LEAST
IN HONG KONG. THERE MUST BE ADEQUATE TIME FOR THAT CONSULTATION
TO TAKE PLACE.
28. HON MEMBERS WILL NEED NO REMINDING THAT THIS IS A SUBJECT OF
GREAT INTEREST, AND GREAT SENSITIVITY IN HONG KONG. IT IS MOST
IMPORTANT THAT THE LEGISLATION IS ACCEPTABLE THERE. WORK ON THIS
IS IN HAND, AND DISCUSSIONS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH THE EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL IN HONG KONG. HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WISE - AND
IN FACT IS NOT NECESSARY TO ATTEMPT TO CARRY THROUGH DETAILED
PROVISIONS IN THE TIMESCALE WHICH THE DATE OF RATIFICATION
IMPOSES ON THIS LEGISLATION.
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29. NEVERTHELESS THE MEASURES CONCERNED ARISE DIRECTLY OUT OF THE AGREEMENT AND MEMORANDUM. IT IS, THEREFORE, APPROPRIATE THAT ALL
SUCH MATTERS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN THIS BILL.
30. IT MAY HELP IF I GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE SORT OF DETAIL
THAT IS LIKELY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ORDER. IT WILL OF COURSE
MAKE PROVISION FOR THE REMOVAL OF HONG KONG FROM THE LIST OF DEPENDENT TERRITORIES IN SCHEDULE 6 TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, 1981 WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997, AND FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY. FOR TECHNICAL REASONS IT IS NOT
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