TNAG-1753-FCO40-2473-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 18

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LORDS

FROM

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

House of Lords Westminster

The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary does not

disagree with this ir principle. He said in another place on Janin

20th

"In duc course we need an element of direct elections-

modest proportion but certainly not going all the wON

The question is one of timing......on that there a difference of view..

We need to secure timet ble for progress."

I veree with Sir Geoffrey on that point about a timetable

but I do not want it to extend too far in' o the future.

What he seems to be saying is that he,the Foreign Secretary,

hus ro obection to direct elections but that he does not want

no

to throw a spanner into the works at a sensitive moment, when other

things are happening.

It us a sentiment with which all

former ministers must have sympathy. Perhaps Sir Geoffrey will

have something to say about this after his visit to Hong Kong.

ors points of concern which have been passed on to we

arc 18 f follows:

The authority given to the National People's Congress

to return or revoke laws by passed by the "eriola'ure or the 012

unde elé 45.

Bhat laws purged by the FTC on matters other than forei

uftairs ari defence will ap ly to Hong one. This da Articl

10

und noode to be look ut carefully as it could contravene Article 1.