TNAG-1397-FCO40-1869-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 236

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It was Sir Edward Youde, the Governor, who proposed the

Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges) Bill. He also pointed out

on different occasions that readings of the bill would not be deferred,

thereby setting the time for the bill. Before his retirement,

Sir Philip Haddon-Cave also stressed that the Hong Kong Government could

not bear too much criticism during the transition period and hoped that

the media could exercise self-restraint. It followed that Michael Thomas

and Selina CHOW made every effort to advocate the setting up of a media

council. It seemed that all these had to be rushed through before

1st July. Many people may want to ask why was the Hong Kong Government

in such a hurry? Why didn't it extend the consultative period?

The reasons behind these are still unknown up to now. Some

people ask, "Could the government wait for the inclusion of elected

members in the Legislative Council before it passed the Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges) Bill? Could the changes in the law governing Hong Kong's

political system not be made until the Basic Law outlines the future

political structure of Hong Kong?"

These queries are on the right track. They help us to calm down

and eliminate all mirages, and see the motive hidden in a deeper stratum.

How was the Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges)

Bill drafted?

The British are very experienced and have a foolproof policy to

cope with withdrawal from a colony. To withdraw from Hong Kong, however,

the veteran Britain encounters a new problem. Hong Kong is not to become

an independent country from a colony. Its sovereignty is to be handed over

to a strong China which has a population of one billion. Therefore, these

experiences not only are unable to effect a smooth withdrawal, but will

place Britain in a very embarrassing situation. These obsolete experiences

and procedures, which are not applicable to the situations of Hong Kong,

will definitely meet criticism and objection if adopted in Hong Kong without

any alteration.