TNAG-1852-FCO40-2627-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 86

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 2267

OF 09150OZ NOVEMBER 89

164526

MDHOAN 7378

OPY

TOP COPY DIST

a

AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING, BTC HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

MIFT: YOUR TELNOS 3551-3552 AND PEKING TELNO 188U: HONG KONG

PART TWO OF TWO

(III) ACTIONS WITHIN HONG KONG

9.

FAC REPORT ON

THE GOVERNMENT WHOLEHEARTEDLY SHARE THE COMMITTEE'S VIEW THAT THE BEST FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG LIES IN THE CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY (PARAGRAPH 3.3). IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS (PARAGRAPH 3.5) THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THE DECISION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND AIRPORT AND ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING PORT EXPANSION AND

THESE WILL BE THE BIGGEST ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG COSTING POUNDS 10 BN, OVER THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS OR SO.

10. THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TAKEN CAREFUL NOTE OF THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG. (PARAGRAPHS

THE PACE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF 3.1U, 3.11 AND 3.14).

DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR BOTH 1991 AND 1995 IS A SUBJECT OF INTENSE DEBATE IN HONG KONG AND WE AGREE WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT BOTH HKG AND HMG MUST BE GUIDED BY HONG KONG OPINION IN TAKING DECISIONS.

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE BASIC LAW REFLECTS THE WISHES OF HONG KONG AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FURTHER CHANGES WE WILL BE MAKING IN 1995.

11. WE HAVE ALSO NOTED THE RECOMMENDATION FOR A GREEN PAPER TO LAWS GOVERNING CANVAS VIEWS ON ELECTORAL LAW (PARAGRAPH 3.12).

DIRECT ELECTIONS TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ALREADY EXIST. THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON NEW LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED BEFORE THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS

THE FORM OF ANY SUCH CONSULTATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WILL BE DECIDED IN DUE COURSE. 12. THE GOVERNMENT ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMITTEE'S DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THE ROLE OF LEGCO (PARAGRAPHS 3.18 TO 3.22). THESE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE DECIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF

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