TNAG-1754-FCO40-2474-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 156

record of today's debate is formally brought to their attention.

5.

•

Members have noted that the Legislative Council in Hong Kong has, also debated the Basic Law over the last two days

We shall

also ensure that the views expressed during that debate, many of which were echoed here today, are drawn to the attention of the

Chinese Government.

6. In opening the debate, my right honourable and learned friend paid tribute to the openness with which the drafting of the Basic Law has been pursued. We are glad that a number of mainland members of the Basic Law Drafting Committee visited Hong Kong in June to listen to Hong Kong people's views. They also had opportunities to learn about the workings of the Hong Kong Government in discussions with the Governor and his officials. We are encouraged by their public statements of readiness to reconsider critically those Articles in the draft Basic Law which have given rise to concern in Hong Kong. We welcome the plans for a second group of mainland drafters to pay a similar visit to Hong Kong in September.

7.

I now turn

turn to specific points raised by Members.