TNAG-1844-FCO40-2619-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 20

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HONG KONG SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING

22 MAR 89

18

FORBIGE SECRETARY:

Chairman.

I would imagine that it is going to be the final document,

I do not know, there may be sume further process that I am not privy to for further consideration, but certainly this draft is being the subject of further consultation comparable to

that that has already taken place.

QUESTION:

It is the last chance to get the Basic Law right is it?

FOREIGN SEGRETARY:

I would think 60 yes. There may be some arcane provision like recommitting the Bill on report comparable to what happens in the House of Lords, but subject to that it is intended to be the

definitive version.

MR BOVEL VELLS:

because we thought this second draft was going to be the final version so therefore this second draft now, this further consultation period, will produce a third draft so can we be absolutely certain that there will be no further amendments and can I add to that question, you say this Basic Law will have the status of a law of the People's Republic of China, will it therefore be enacted in some way by the People's Republic once it

is agreed?