TNAG-2716-FCO40-3922-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 36

Mr. Hurd agreed in principle with the arrangements proposed by the Chinese side which could be established in 1995; but stated that

details of how this should be done would need to

be discussed between two sides. Also expressed

hope that the five principles agreed between the

two sides could be reflected in the Basic Law.

We pressed the Chinese side to discuss these points further, but they declined further

discussion at the time.

Statement to Parliament by Mr. Hurd in February 1990 makes clear that no decision had been taken

on whether to introduce the electoral

arrangements in the Basic Law: the British side

were waiting to see its final terms.

In the event, the five principles were not fully

reflected in the final version of the Basic Law.

Moreover, the final version makes clear that the

Election Committee of the first SAR legislature

would explicitly not be the Election Committee

for 1999 whose composition was set out in Annex

I of the Basic Lav.

The Basic Law gives no indication of what its composition should be.

A number of events since the publication of the Basic Law confirm that the Chinese side still undecided as to their views on the composition

of the Election Committee for the first SAR legislature. visits by Legislative Councillors to Peking have included discussions on this

issue with Chinese officials.

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