TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 138

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

Parliament debated the document. Debates on the first

draft were also held in Hong Kong's Legislative Council,

the two Municipal Councils and almost all the District

Boards. The records of most of these debates, including

those of the Parliamentary debates, were conveyed to the

Chinese Government through diplomatic channels.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

39.

In November 1988, the five Special Groups under the

BLDC resumed their discussions and considered how the

first draft should be revised. Following a further

plenary meeting held in Canton from 9 to 15 January 1989,

a second draft was agreed. After consideration by the

Standing Committee of the NPC, this was published on

27 February 1989 for further public consultation.

results of this second round of consultation will then be

considered by the BLDC, and with the approval of the NPC,

the final version of the Basic Law will be enacted in

1990.

The

40.

Although the drafting of the Basic Law is a matter

for the Chinese Government, the British Government have

the right to satisfy themselves that its provisions fully

accord with the terms of the Joint Declaration. The

British Government have been following the process very

closely, and have had a fruitful dialogue with the

Chinese authorities throughout the drafting process.

particular, they have sought to ensure that the Chinese

authorities are fully aware of the concerns of Hong Kong

people about the draft.

In