TNAG-2033-FCO40-2896-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 52

2. VOTING PROCEDURES

CHINESE PROPOSALS ON VOTING PROCEDURES TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE

We would have preferred voting procedures to have remained as at present. Made this clear to Chinese.

concerns:

Chinese have made some modification to meet our separate voting will apply only to private members' motions in last 2 years and amendments. Practical effect limited

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150 out of 156 bills have been government ones.

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Also understand separate voting will be removed after 2007.

WHAT DO THESE VOTING PROCEDURES MEAN IN PRACTICE?

Provisions still not completely clear.

- But limited to private members' bills and amendments. Maybe provision for re-submission by government after amendment in which case only simple majority required.

Clearly there will be no effect on government legislation.

- The effect on private members bills and amendments will be to require support in both categories of membership in order to be passed first time.

- This provision is tiresome and unfamiliar to Hong Kong legislature. But not sinister.

DENAAQ (4)