CONFIDENTIAL
The Bill does not deal with the
Joint Liaison
Group.
During
question of who will sit on the
the parliamentary debate on the
Members of the
include Unofficial
agreement there was pressure to Hong Kong Executive and Legislative Councils on the Group. We took the line that Hong Kong Government officials would sit on the Group, and that we would consult fully with Unofficials in Hong Kong, but
that this was a diplomatic body and it would not be appropriate for
Unofficials to sit on it.
We can expect pressure for Unofficials to sit on the Group to continue, although strictly speaking it is not
relevant to the Bill.
Group, and its
We might also face questions about the work of the Joint Liaison influence on the administration of Hong Kong. The working procedures of the Joint Liaison Group remain to be discussed
with the Chinese. The agreement makes clear, however, that the Joint Liaison Group is not an organ of power and will play no part in Hong Kong's administration.
Ministers
Another suggestion made
made during the Parliamentary debate was that
Parliament should hold an annual debate on the work of the Joint
Liaison Group.
took the line then and on subsequent occasions that accountability to Parliament is important, as will be
the interest shown in Hong Kong by Parliament itself. But they have
not committed themselves to any set timetable for Parliamentary
debate.
I t is possible that the inclusion of this provision in the Bill might prompt an attack on the extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities in general. In response we should make it clear that the Vienna Convention is an essential element in the conduct of foreign
relations. Any suggestion that the immunities conferred by the
Convention should be restricted should be considered in light of the
vulnerability of many British Embassies overseas in countries which
are hostile towards us or in which
rule of law is not firmly
established.
the
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.