TNAG-2623-FCO40-3814-Visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-an-1992 — Page 22

DEMOCRACY IN HONg kong

Will you be discussing the Governor's proposals for constitutional

changes in Hong Kong?

Will be discussing a wide range of issues with the Governor.

This will no doubt include constitutional matters.

Will you be putting forward UK Government proposals on 1995 elections?

What we have said repeatedly is that we will discuss with the

Chinese the arrangements for the 1995 elections with the aim of

ensuring as much continuity as possible.

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As the Foreign Secretary said when he was in Hong Kong in July: We would like to see the arrangements which we decide for 1995 carried through after 1997. This is part of the general review which the Governor is undertaking of the governing institutions

of Hong Kong.

Do you expect the Governor to have reached conclusions and to share

them with you?

The Governor has been consulting widely here in Hong Kong and will be setting out the broad lines of his proposals in this address to LegCo.

Will he be consulting you beforehand?

When the Governor reaches conclusions he will be sharing them

with us.

Will you be discussing appointments to ExCo? My discussions with

the Governor will cover many issues including constitutional developments. As you know appointments to ExCo are a matter for the Governor, with the approval of the Secretary of State. As the Governor has said many times he is discussing with leaders of the community the role and functions of the governing institutions of Hong Kong.