TNAG-2716-FCO40-3922-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 143

and the courts of this country.

May I just say that there is one point perhaps that

This was the question of reporting obligations.

(Mr Chamberlain)

I did not answer.

It has

been draw to my attention that in fact the Chinese agreed in the Joint

Declaration that the People's Republic of China will have to report to the

UN Human Rights Committee under the UN Covenant after 1997, so I think

that answers the question that Sir John Stanley raised about the reporting

obligations.

Chairman: There was a mention in the Governor's LegCo speech to a

potential legal vacuum and that sounds rather serious for the operations of

Hong Kong. Sir John wanted a further question on that.

85.

introduced?

Sir John Stanley

Could you just respond to the point that the Chairman has

We have had this reference in the Governor's LegCo speech on

the 6 October to this possible legal vacuum if the work of the Joint

Liaison Group on localising or adapting the laws of Hong Kong was not

completed before 1997. Is that a matter that would be significant if that

did not take place or would it be of great importance?

(Mr Chamberlain)

Yes indeed, it would be of fundamental importance.

Perhaps it would help the Committee - I think this is a very complex and

to make available two copies of a statement

-

complicated subject if I were

which was made very recently by Hong Kong officials to LegCo because I

think that this goes into this very thoroughly and perhaps it would not be

appropriate to have a detailed discussion here. Broadly speaking the

problem arises in two areas: the area of Hong Kong legislation, Hong Kong

laws, and the area of multilateral treaties. So far as Hong Kong laws are

concerned there is a requirement to adapt Hong Kong laws to be compatible

with the Basic Law. In addition UK legislation, which applies to Hong

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