TNAG-2459-FCO40-3580-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-administrati-1992 — Page 53

CONFIDENTIAL

likely to appeal

whether it is

to or be strongly opposed by any particular sections of the community..

e.

Length

7. An estimate of the length of the Bill is needed so that the

demands on the drafting capacity and Parliamentary time can be

assessed at the earliest possible stage. It will not normally be possible to give an accurate forecast of the number of clauses and schedules, but some indication such as 'very short' (ie not

more than 4 clauses), 'short' (5-12 clauses), 'medium' (13-25

clauses), 'substantial' (26-50 clauses) or 'long' (over 50 clauses) should be given. The approximate number of clauses for substantial and long Bills should be indicated. If the Bill

would be short but the schedules lengthy please say so. Where a Bill would cover more than one distinct topic, please indicate roughly what proportion of the Bill would be devoted to each topic. Departments should consult their legal advisers about the likely length of Bills.

Parliamentary Procedure

8. A Bill may be suitable for a special form of Parliamentary procedure. Please state whether it might be suitable require any of the following:

a.

Introduction in the House of Lords.

Commons

-

b. Second Reading Committee procedure in the House of that is, the Bill is likely to be accepted on all

sides of the House as uncontroversial and of little or no

(There is no need to mention this

political significance.

specifically in the case of

'uncontroversial’.)

CONFIDENTIAL

Bills categorised

as