TNAG-1846-FCO40-2621-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 96

CONFIDENTIAL

Seetary of State Rhy

251

ALRAAV

From:

A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

Date: 7 April 1989

HKB 011/3

CC: Mr Gillmore

12 APR 1989

Private Secretary

Mr McLaren

Mr Holt, PRU

Mr Fifoot, Legal Advisers

Mr Edwards, Legal Advisers

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ENQUIRY INTO HONG KONG:

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL ON ARTICLE 157 OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW

250

B

1.

When Mr McLaren briefed the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 April (see my separate submission) he indicated that we would be letting them have a note on Article 157 of the draft Basic Law.

This offer was enthusiastically accepted by the Committee.

2.

I submit a draft memorandum for the Secretary of State's

approval. The main purpose of the memorandum is to ensure that the Foreign Affairs Committee understand that the scope for the Standing

Committee of the National People's Congress to give interpretations

is not limited to the national laws mentioned in Article 18 and

listed in Annex III of the draft Basic Law.

The relevant sections of the Secretary of State's oral

evidence on 22 March (paragraphs 15-16 and 31-32) are attached.

3.

The Clerk of the Committee has requested this memorandum by

12 April at the latest.

4.

ARRanc

CONFIDENTIAL

A R Paul