TNAG-2721-FCO40-3927-Hong-Kong-elections-nationality-restrictions-1993 — Page 58

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GOVERNENI

NUUS (

יפיורד מסד

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10

amongst

20%.

the totality of "non-Chinese" Members is/are on the

wrong side of the

If proceedings were indeed

initiated, the Court would likely act in one of two ways.

It

the issue.

may simply come to the view that it is unable to rule on

Alternatively, it may come up with its own

allocating the 20% quota, and then make a

It is also

criteria for

declaration on the issue on that basis.

possible that the Court may take the view that it is unable

to

distinguish between

"non-Chinese" and decide

should be disqualified,

individual Members who are

that therefore all such Members

although any declaration made by

the Court would only apply to Members against whom the

proceedings are directed.

6.

domestic

There

legislation

is one additional twist.

Our current

does not contain any provisions which

would

recognize/protect

1 July 1997 by LegCo

381.

the validity of

acts done after

Members who are the subject of

Whilst

proceedings under section 45 of Cap. 367, or section 44 of

(The provisions mentioned in paragraph 6 of our note

dated 10 August apply only to election petitions.)

the necessary provisions can be found in RI XIX(1), the

problem is that they will lapse on 1 July 1997; there are

no corresponding provisions in the Basic Law. We are also

not aware of any relevant common law principle/precedent

case which would have application post-1997 (but it would

be useful if FCO LegCo Advisers could confirm this).

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