TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 70

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

BLDC with the task of soliciting the views of Hong Kong

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

people on the draft Basic Law.

Top Secret

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Unclassified

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

39. The BLDC established five Special Groups

(dealing with the relationship between the central

authorities and the SAR, the economy, the political

structure, rights and duties of Hong Kong

inhabitants and education, culture and social

questions).

Discussion has taken place in these and

other groups and in plenary meetings, all well reported

by the Hong Kong media. After more than two years' work

the first draft of the Basic Law was published in April

1988. A five-month consultation exercise, conducted by

the BLCC, was then held in Hong Kong. Two delegations of

mainland members of the BLDC, led by senior Chinese

officials, visited Hong Kong in June and September 1988

to canvass public opinion on the Draft Basic Law at first

hand.

40. A wide range of views on various aspects of the

first draft was expressed during the consultation period.

In addition, in June and July 1988, both Houses of

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.

41. In November 1988, the five Special Groups under the

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