TNAG-1399-FCO40-1871-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 66

BASIC LAW (79)

Date

Statements by Chinese

Officials

Newspaper Comments/Editorials Non-Communist

Communist

16.6.85

(cont'd)

pressure groups repre-

sentatives are not

included. The

consultative committee

should comprise

representatives from all

sectors.

Statements/Comments

by others

have the judicial power of interpreting the Basic Law in deciding cases after 1997. The judicial power of interpretation differs from China's concept of legislative power of interpretation, which is to amplify laws by legislative edict. Whether or not the

legislative power of interpretation will apply to the basic Law is still being considered by China. China feels that it was reasonable to have an English version of the Basic Law.

Source quoted by Oriental Daily News: the consul- tative committee will be directly responsible to the NPC and not the drafting committee. It will comprise 80 members, all from HK.

HK Journalists' Asso- ciation chairman Cliff Bale: The Basic Law should stipulate what kind of press freedom HK should enjoy after 1997.