TNAG-1750-FCO40-2470-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 73

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preparations

to

go.

Figures

obtained from

the

Commission, and the Canadian Commission show that the

but rose

1987.

Australian number of

in

These

substantially

increases in

applications

number of

Hong Kong emigrants in 1985 (the year after the signing of the Joint Declaration) dropped a little 1986 and

in quite dramatically emigration figures are confirmed by for Certificates of No Criminal Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Annex 2.

of Hong Kong people is due

the

Conviction obtained from the statistics

are These

set out in

We believe that the loss of confidence on the part

of to the actions

both the British and the Chinese Governments. We will summarize the failings of both governments under separate headings.

Breach of promises on the part of the British Government

(a)

Promises made

(i)

"The government and Special Administrative

comprised

of

local

legislature

of

Hong Kong Region shall inhabitants..

be

The

legislature

of

elections.

the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region shall be constituted by The executive authorities shall

abide by the law and

the

legislature."

shall

be Sino-British

accountable

to Joint

Declaration

(ii)

"During the

years immediately

increasingly

a head, developed lines."

the

on

(iii)

government of Hong Kong will be

representative

Sir

Geoffrey Howe, Foreign Secretary 20th April,

1984 in Hong Kong

Both my hon. Friends referred to the question of accountability. One important way in which we can contribute to the ability of the Hong Kong people to strengthen their autonomy and their confidence is through the evolution of representative institutions. Steady progress has already been made on this front in recent

years.

An elected element

first introduced into administration at the district level in 1982. On ly last week plans strengthen further the elective local government were announced in Hong Kong. This will be followed by a Green Paper this summer making proposals

to develop the

was

to content of

representative status of the two ma in

Government

institutions

the

Council and the Legislative Council.

will

help

to

strengthen

central Executive All that confidence,

self-confidence and the autonomy of the people." Richard Luce, Minister of State with special responsibility for Hong Kong, 25th

1984 in the House of Commons

May,