TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 145

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 May 1988

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MR. LAI (in Cantonese): Sir, when the consultation document is issued, the general public have very diverse views, and may interpret the provisions in the draft Basic Law in different ways. So, the situation is rather chaotic. Will the Administration therefore consider compiling the diverse views so that the general public can really understand this consultation document? And, at the same time, there should be sufficient time for people to reflect their views.

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, the time allocated for the consultation period is five months; that is a considerable period of time. As to the method of consultation and the explanation of the Basic Law, we believe that is a matter for the Basic Law Consultative Committee.

MR. DESMOND LEE: Sir, the Chief Secretary mentioned that the Governments of Hong Kong and Britain were studying the draft Basic Law. May I ask whether or not departures from the Joint Declaration have been identified?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, the consultation is in its early period; as I have explained, we still have five months to go. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on individual sections of the Basic Law at this stage.

DR. LAM (in Cantonese): Sir, when the Administration discovers that the draft Basic Law goes contrary to the Joint Declaration, apart from communicating with the Chinese authorities, will such inconsistencies be made public to the Hong Kong people as well?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, as I have explained, if there were to be provisions which we believe to be inconsistent with the Joint Declaration, we would make our views known to the Chinese Government in the most effective way. We do not believe that that is necessarily so by making those representations public.

MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, the consultation on the draft of the Basic Law appears to be entirely in the hands of the Basic Law Consultative Committee, according to the answers so far given. So, is it the intention of the Hong Kong Government merely to play the role of an interested bystander?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, as I think I have explained in three previous answers, we understand our role very clearly, and that is to ensure that the draft Basic Law is consistent with the Joint Declaration. I do not believe, Sir, that that answer indicates that we are taking the role of a bystander. We take very seriously our responsibilities in this regard.