TNAG-1442-FCO40-1926-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 139

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INDEED, HON. MARIA TAM'S SUGGESTION WAS SUPPORTED BY HON. ALLEN

LEE WHO SAID: * AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF MISS MARIA TAM'S

SUGGESTION THAT THE FINAL SIGNING OF THE RELEVANT COMMERCIAL

CONTRACTS OUGHT TO BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE DELEGATION'S REPOPT IS

MADE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.'' IN ANSWERING ON BEHALF OF THE

ADMINISTRATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: ' AM GIVEN TO

UNDERSTAND THAT ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN RELATION TO THIS PROJECT

ARE UNLIKELY TO BE IN PLACE BEFORE OCTOBER THIS YEAR. THAT IS TO

SAY AFTER MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES' VISITS AND REPOPTS. THIS IS

STILL SOME MONTHS AWAY, AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT MY UNOFFICIAL

COLLEAGUES CAN COMPLETE THEIR VISITS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE IR

FINDINGS WELL BEFORE THE RELEVANT DATE. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES

THERE SEEMS NO NEED TO SUGGEST THAT THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS BE

DELAYED. THERE IS TIME." THESE WERE COMFORTING WORDS.

BUT NOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED? THE DELEGATIONS ARE BACK. THEY ARE TALKING

TO ME ON THEIR REPORTS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ARE NOT GIVEN A

FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS OR DEBATE THESE REPORTS IN A SPECIAL

MEETING UNDER SECTION 7A OF THE STANDING ORDER. ON THE OTHER HAND,

THE RELEVANT PARTIES ARE PROCEEDING WITH THE SIGNING OF THE

RELEVANT CONTRACTS IN MID-SEPTEMBER 1986.

DO NOT, THEREFORE, UNDERSTAND THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF SIR DAVID'S

STATEMENT WHEN HE SAID: 'WE SHOULD THEN GIVE OTHER MEMBERS OF

THE COUNCIL, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, TIME TO STUDY THESE REPORTS

AND TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.''

FIRSTLY, HOW WILL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MAKE THEMR VIEWS KNOWN? SECONDLY, IS THERE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THEIR VIEWS TO BE

COMMUNICATED TO THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES BEFORE THE SIGNING OF THE

MATERIAL CONTRACTS?

FOR THESE REASONS, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ACTING GOVERNOR HAS SUFFICIENTLY EXPLAINED HIS DECISION AND DO RESPECTFULLY URGE Hilf

TO RECONSIDER THE MATTER. HE OWES IT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

UNQUOTE

AKERS-JONES

YYYY

HMLNAN 0899

HONG KONG AGREEMENT:

RESTRICTED

LIMITED

COPIES TO:

HD/HKD

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

HD/FED

RESEARCH DEPT (FE)

DEP/HD/PUSD

PS/MR RENTON

SIR W HARDING MR WILSON

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