TNAG-1844-FCO40-2619-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 41

28 MAR

03 14:54

FRON COI TECH RADIO

TO FCO NEWS

FMSE.

TRANSCRIPT B: HONG KONG SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING

10

22 MAR 89

FORRIGE SECRETARY

(CONTR)!

But the other more pratical point is that the role of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress only arises in relation to the laws that are set out in Annexe 3 and they do not have any application in relation to a wider range of matters.

The other area, of course, which goes without saying is that

the Standing Committee of the NPC does have jurisdiction in relation to matters of foreign affairs aud defence and the situation in which the Hong Kong courts would need to refer to the JPC for advice arises in the context of foreign affairs and

defence, but it would not arise.

There is no jurisdiction for

the Standing Committee of the NPC in relation to matters of the

kind you are concerned with.

It is only in relation to the

listed matters and where questions of foreign affairs and defence

arise.

CHAIRMAN:

Very reassuring.

FOREIGN SECRETARY:

That Is Be Inyan laut feature.