TNAG-1378-FCO40-1826-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 21

CONFIDENTIAL

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Indirect electin a proportion the Legislative Comil

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The situation in Hong Kong is not static. The Government of Hong Kong is moving ahead with the progressive

strengthening of representative government in the

territory over the next 10 years. The first elections to

the Legislative Council will take place in September this

year and there will be a further review of the electoral

process in two years time.

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We, for our part, are moving towards the establishment of the Joint Liaison Group provided for in Annex II to the Joint Declaration. We will need to discuss the practical arrangements for its creation and other aspects outlined in Annex II with the Chinese Government before long. As soon as there is anything to announce in this respect the

Government will of course inform the House.

The

My Lords, we need to move rapidly to ratify the agreement. Paragraph 8 of the Joint Declaration provides that

ratification shall take place before 30 June 1985.

Government believe that the early ratification of the

agreement will further reinforce confidence in Hong Kong

which has, I am happy to say, already been visibly strengthened by the agreement.

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I commend t

comm

the House (this Bill which will enable the

government to ratify the agreement.

CONFIDENTIAL