TNAG-2448-FCO40-3564-Elections-in-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 61

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28-OCT-1992 17:37

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(B)

2

Boards.

The introduction of such restrictions on

membership of the legislature after 1997 would run counter to well-established practice

therefore

in Hong Kong.

Such

restrictions would limit the range of talents

from which membership of the legislature can be

drawn.

(C)

They could also

(D)

create a serious problem for the

full continuity of membership of the legislature

between 1995 and 1997.

It is also not clear how the proposed 15 percent

rule would be implemented. The electoral law of

the SAR would need to prescribe the procedures in detail. The British Government believes that such legal stipulations would inevitably be complicated inflexible. For example, if the number of

successful candidates who were foreign nationals had a right of abode in foreign countries exceeded the proposed ceiling. it

and

NGAMANA JUALES

Snowla

be asked to step down in order to meet the 15

percent rule and how the vacancies thus created should be filled.

4.

The

clarification

British Government would be grateful for as to whether permanent residents who are not