TNAG-2710-FCO40-3916-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 192

PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: 27 APRIL

HONG KONG

Welcome start of talks with China on Hong Kong electoral issues. Second round will be held in Beijing on 28 and 29 April.

- Our aim is to reach an understanding with China on arrangements to ensure that the 1995 elections will be fair,

open and acceptable to Hong Kong people.

- If we do reach an

understanding, the British and Hong Kong Governments will recommend this to the

Legislative Council in Hong Kong. It will be for them to pass the necessary legislation.

(Defensive: Status of Hong Kong Team Members?)

- The talks are between the two sovereign powers. But British and Hong Kong officials are participating in these talks on exactly the same basis as they have in the past.

(Defensive: Will talks delay legislation?)

Governor and his Executive Council will take decisions on putting the legislation to LegCo in the light of progress in the talks.

But

Talks will not be easy. we need to make good progress, so that legislation will be in place in time for the District Board elections in 1994.

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