TNAG-2716-FCO40-3922-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 134

(Mr Chamberlain)

Of course.

It is not really a question of legal

advice. It is a question of practicalities too. If you see the provision

in the Basic Law which concerns the composition of the first legislature

after 1997, and the provision that members of LegCo elected in 1995 would,

subject to certain conditions, be allowed to continue into the new

legislature.

The so-called "through train" makes it incumbent, I would

suggest on both sides, to reach agreement.

Chairman

64.

proposals?

Do you think the Chinese Government understands the concept of

Are they not really of the view that Hong Kong is Chinese

anyway, and it is just a matter of working out as time goes by the

arrangements for the smooth transition and the "through train"?

(Mr Chamberlain)

I do not know whether I could really hope to put

words into the mouth of the Chinese.

misunderstanding or not I do not know.

Whether this is based on a

(Mr Hum) I cannot speak for the Chinese Government either, but I

would just point out that in the Joint Declaration itself it is made quite

clear that the Government of the United Kingdom will be responsible for the

administration of Hong Kong up to 30 June 1997, and the Government of the

People's Republic of China will give its co-operation in this connection.

There is a certain responsibility we have to administer Hong Kong up to

that date, but there is equally a responsibility on the Chinese side to

give us its co-operation.

Chairman:

That is a very helpful answer.

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