an understanding with them we would recommend this to the Legislative Council. We remain ready for talks with China at any time, without preconditions.
23.
The Committee recommended that Hong Kong people must be able to decide on their own system of Government (3.10). It will be for the Legislative Council to pass the necessary legislation for the 1994/95 elections. There can therefore be no question of deals done behind the back of the Hong Kong people. We have said that we would accept the Council's decision, provided that this was consistent with Britain's international obligations.
Relationship between the Executive and the Legislature
24.
The Committee considered that the independence and strength of the legislature in Hong Kong was of paramount importance (3.20), and that the accountability of the executive authorities to the legislature would be a most important element in ensuring the necessary degree of autonomy for Hong Kong after 1997, as promised in the Joint Declaration (3.21). The Government recorded, in paragraph 18 of their May 1990 observations on that Report, the provisions in the final version of the Basic Law, which entrench the principle of executive accountability (BL Articles 52, 64 and 73 (9)).
25.
We and the Governor accept the principle of accountability. The Governor made this clear in his inaugural address to the Legislative Council last October. He said: "My intention is to
ensure that we have a vigorous and effective executive-led Government that is properly accountable to this Legislative Council." He has since withdrawn from the position of President of the Legislative Council, in advance of 1995, as suggested by the Committee in their Report (3.16). The Deputy President, Mr John Swaine, has presided over the Council since the beginning of the present session, and on 19 February he was elected formally as President. To enhance accountability further, the Governor has
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