TNAG-2735-FCO40-3943-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 134

UNCLASSIFIED

126501

MDHIAN 3314

STATUTORY AND THEIR DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PART OF THE FORMAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE PARTICULAR DISCUSSIONS THEY ARE NOW PROPOSING TO HOLD WERE NOT INSTIGATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ANY RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY LEGCO PANELS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE GOVERNMENT OR ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL CANNOT TAKE ACTION ON THE BILL WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON 12 MARCH, SINCE THE BILL HAS NOT BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE FORUM TO PROCESS ANY BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE FULL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ANY BILLS COMMITTEE THAT MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY IT TO DEAL WITH A PARTICULAR

BILL.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL DISCUSSIONS CANNOT IN ANY WAY PREJUDICE THE OUTCOME OF THE ONGOING TALKS WITH CHINA ON THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. THE TALKS WERE PROPOSED BY BRITAIN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND BOTH THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HOPE THEY LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL BE REGARDED AS OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.'

PATTEN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

65

DISTRIBUTION

72

.HK POLICY

HKD

PUSD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS//MR GILES NEWS D

NTCD

PLANNERS

RAD

PS

PS/MR GOODLAD

SIR J COLES MR HUM

ADDITIONAL

7

CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE (DIO)

CAOFF/ MISS NEVILLE - ICIES

7222

CAOFF//MR SIBSON

PS NO 10

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