TNAG-2325-FCO40-3369-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-policy-1991 — Page 171

Redacted Under FOI

CONFIDENTIAL

020475

MDHIAN 9481

Exemption Sec 27(1)

QUESTION THE STATUS OF THE BOR WHEN THEY COME TO EXAMINE IT FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE BASIC LAW.

(C)

GUO CITED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LONG TITLE AND CLAUSE 2(3), AND THE DELETION OF THE PREAMBLE,

SEPARATELY, WE ARE REFLECTING ON WHETHER THIS FORMULATION IS STILL APPROPRIATE IN LIGHT OF OUR LATEST THINKING TO TAKE OUT INTER-CITIZEN RIGHTS ALTOGETHER FROM THE PURVIEW OF THE BOR. (NOTE: THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE, PARTICULARLY FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND SOME LEGCO AD HOC GROUP MEMBERS, AGAINST THE INCLUSION OF INTER-CITIZEN RIGHTS IN THE BOR ON THE GROUNDS THAT THIS WOULD GIVE RISE TO UNCERTAINTY IN LAW.) SO WE NEED TO THINK FURTHER ON THIS.

3. I WOULD LIKE TO CONSULT EXCO ON ALL THESE POINTS BEFORE COMING TO A FINAL VIEW. WE ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS BEFORE 15 APRIL.

4. WE HOPE TO PUT THESE AMENDMENTS TOGETHER WITH A PACKAGE OF OTHER UNRELATED AMENDMENTS (E.G. ON THE ''FREEZE PERIOD'') ΤΟ THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SHORTLY AFTER 15 APRIL. SUBJECT TO THE REACTION OF THE AD HOC GROUP, WE MIGHT THEN BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FURTHER READINGS AND COMMITTEE STATE AMENDMENTS IN LATE APRIL OR EARLY MAY. THIS TIMETABLE IS OF COURSE STILL TENTATIVE.

WILSON

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.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

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MR MCLAREN

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CONFIDENTIAL