TNAG-1845-FCO40-2620-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 91

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t of that prose35,

to say. or one of the hearts that's the hea consultation on another drafting of the Basic Law. I think Mr you have some questions on that to Sir David.

is

the

Lester,

would

Jim Lester: You'll receive the second draft of the Basic Law that was issued in February, and what I wanted to ask you is, does it in YOUT opinion, meet the requirements of the Joint Declaration, and how in your opinion, is it an improvement on on the first draft? And far

there is still YOU say in your view.

go fulfills the totality in the Joint Declaration?

to

before

much how 1t

Governor:

Law.

enormous

the

Perhaps, I would make a general point on the Basic

is of if

You would permit me. It's something which importance to Hong Kong. It is after all, the constitutional framework which for the next 50 years after 1997. It's therefore, something to

The we in the Hong Kong Government attach a great deal of importance. British Government, HMG, have the right under the Joint Declaration to insure that the Basic Law reflects what's in the Joint Declaration and sort of by extension, we in the Hong Kong Government have the same

for watch role over it. But the actual drafting is of course a matter che Drafting Committee. and the law itself will be passed by Chinese National People's Congress. And the other general point. Af I may, is that the second round of consultation on the Basic Law is just starting in Hong Kong now. and it will be going on until July, so that discussed of the

doubt be articles of the Basic Law will in intensively

on She Hong Kong

Now coming over these

months. comparison between the first draft and the second draft, it's fair say that the drafters have taken a great deal of eocount of the points which

There them in Hong Kong. were put criticisms

Basic in Hong Kong of the first draft of the indeed, the drafter themselves said that it was far from perfect. second draft on a whole number of issues has taken account

and criticisms.

has

clauses improved on those particular account of the points put forward in Hong Kong. We're now just getting bs into the second round of consultations and no doubt there will be further points of view put forward in Hong Kong.

many

Q:

το

no

were

a

to

number

of Law. And The of those take to

Is then a general feeling of confidence in

say' Consultative procedures that are laid down. for indeed you changed from the first to the second. do you sense that the very that's happened gives people a sense of confidence in the next of consultations?

Well. what

I

is hope

the

fact

reund

Governor:

that' feel that people will

views in the they not only can, but they should put forward their

Of such second round of consultation, simply because it is a matter enormous importance to the future of Hong Kong so that, if people do There's have viaws I very much hope that they will put them forward. little doubt that the discussion of the Basic Law in Hong Kong is

population minority interest. It is not something in which the whole at the moment is taking part. But there are people in Hong Kong who do

a

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