TNAG-1750-FCO40-2470-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 82

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the British Administration is

credible; whether it is serious

whether it

will

now and 1997"

in wishing to consult the people of Hong Kong; honour its commitment to "build up a firmly-based democratic administration in Hong Kong in the years between (Richard Luce, 5th December 1984, House of Commons); whether it

to perceives

be will administer Hong Kong according to what it in the best interests of its people or only according to what

to do it is permitted

by the Chinese

and Government; importantly, whether there will be a successful future for Hong

Kong.

time enough

most

in

an

The new

We submit that time is of the utmost importance build-up the

towards 1997.

on And time is not our side. If we

to please the were to lose 3 or 4 precious years just

Chinese Government (for there has been no good reason given as to why direct elections should not be introduced in 1988), there is simply not

left to evolve progressively effective system of democratic government before 1997. system of direct elections to the Legislative Council will take time to settle. And there are many other

issues important be addressed, including, in particular, the relationship between the Executive and the Hong Kong should have a

ministerial system of government (though not necessarily based on the Westminster model), and if not, then what other system of government it should have.

Legislative Councils;

likely

to

whether

In the circumstances, we believe that if direct elections cannot be introduced in 1988, there will be many more

feet because people in Hong Kong voting with their

they would know for certain that the British Administration no longer has the will or ability to "administer Hong Kong wisely and well between

and now

1997". Nor is it

that the British Administration "would honour (its) obligations to the full;" or increase "long before 1997

steadily and securely... the

in the amount of representation of local people

of government Hong Kong."

These were your very words, Prime Minister, and And please

all we are asking you to do is to honour them.

remember that "the eyes of the world" are

on you.

If direct elections are not introduced in 1988, we believe that the Hong Kong Government will lose its credibility completely with the people it governs, with the result that Hong Kong will be quite ungovernable. And in such event, doubt whether Hong Kong can maintain its prosperity stability up to 1997.

we

or

take

We therefore urge you, Prime Minister, to charge of the Hong Kong problem yourself, and with છે sense of utmost urgency. The decision is yours: whether to allow Hong Kong Government's credibility to be irreparably damaged by succumbing to the Chinese Government, or to insist that the terms of the Joint Declaration be implemented to the full by taking full responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong until 1997. The plain fact is that the British Government will retreat from Hong Kong on 30th June 1997. Will it be a gracious and honourable retreat or will it be an ignominious one?