TNAG-1379-FCO40-1827-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 171

CONFIDENTIAL

CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

As the House knows the first indirect elections for part of

the Legislative Council will take place in September of this

year. A further review of the developments will take place

in 1987 in the light of the experience of the next t wo years. At that time the House and the people of Hong Kong

will have another opportunity to express their views. think that the general view of the House, and indeed that of

the people of Hong Kong, is that it is best to proceed

cautiously towards the fullest degree of democratic

accountability of the Executive.

I

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

an

This is a matter to which the Government gives a high

priority. There are still 11,900 Vietnamese refugees in

Hong Kong. The Government of Hong Kong have coped with no

fewer than 100,000 refugees since 1979, and they have done

admirable job in difficult circumstances. We are making

every effort with the United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees and other countries, to seek permanent solutions

for the refugees who are in Hong Kong and other places first asylum.

of

HMOCS

to the Noble Lord,

There really is nothing that I can add on the question of

HMOCS officers at this stage to my answer

Lord Gridley, during our last debate.

The resumption of

CONFIDENTIAL