TNAG-2735-FCO40-3943-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 136

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INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS IN LEGCO

BACKGROUND

AT THE END OF A MEETING OF THE LEGCO CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL (CONVENED BY MR. ANDREW WONG) ON 31 MAY, MEMBERS PRESENT (LARGELY FROM UDHK) SUGGESTED THAT GIVEN THE SHORTAGE OF TIME BEFORE LEGCO WENT INTO RECESS, THERE WAS URGENCY TO START DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE. MOST MEMBERS PRESENT CONSIDERED THAT SUCH DISCUSSIONS WERE HARMLESS (SIC) IN THAT THE PANEL WAS AN INFORMAL FORUM AND ITS DELIBERATION WOULD NOT BE BINDING ON THE ADMINISTRATION. SOME MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THE PANEL COULD ALSO DISCUSS OTHER ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS THAT EMERGED IN RECENT WEEKS.

2. MARTIN LEE AND UDHK MEMBERS PRESENT FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD FOCUS ON THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS ) BILL 1993 GAZETTED ON 12 MARCH BUT THERE WAS NO CLEAR DECISION ON THIS POINT AT THE MEETING.

3. OTHER LEGCO MEMBERS (ELSIE TU, PETER WONG AND CHIM PUI-CHUNG) QUERIED THE PROPRIETY AND PURPOSE OF SUCH DISCUSSION. THEY EXPRESSED THE WORRY THAT THIS COULD INCREASE THE PRESENT MISTRUST BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES, THUS AFFECTING THE TALKS. (MR. ALLEN LEE MADE THE SAME CRITICISM IN PUBLIC ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.>

4. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY AGREED THAT THE PANEL SHOULD DISCUSS THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ONE BY ONE, STARTING ITS DISCUSSION ON 7 JUNE AND CONTINUE AT 2-WEEK INTERVALS. THERE WAS A SUGGESTION THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE INVITED TO ATTEND, BUT AGAIN THERE WAS NO CLEAR CONSENSUS ON THIS POINT.

5. MR. ANDREW WONG SPOKE TO SCA IN PRIVATE THE DAY FOLLOWING THE

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