TNAG-2735-FCO40-3943-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 146

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FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 755

OF 140748Z MAY 93

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

RESTRICTED

HKB 012/3

RECEIVED IN *GISTRY

17 MAY 1993

DESK OFFICE INDEX

REGISTA

faken:

paleolo

056231 MDHIAN 0907

TOP COPY Q DIST?

LEGCO QUESTION ON 19 MAY : 1994-95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

YEUNG SUM (UDHK) WILL ASK THE FOLLOWING ORAL QUESTION AT THE

LEGCO SITTING ON 19 MAY :

1.

'WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL WHETHER IT IS STILL PREPARED TO HONOUR ITS UNDERTAKING TO ENSURE THE COMPLETION OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OF THE RELEVANT BILL(S) ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95 WITHIN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION: IF NOT, WHAT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE IMPENDING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1994?**

2.

WE INTEND TO REPLY AS FOLLOWS :

''IN DECIDING ON THE TIMING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS FOR THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95, WE HAVE TO BALANCE TWO AIMS. ONE AIM IS TO GIVE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, AND TO HAVE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION IN PLACE WELL BEFORE THE ELECTIONS. THE OTHER AIM IS TO GIVE THE CURRENT TALKS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT A FAIR WIND, AND TO COMPLETE THEM SUCCESSFULLY. CLEARLY, WE DO NOT HAVE AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEREFORE WE WILL NEED TO WORK HARD.

GRATEFUL TO KNOW, DESKBY 190100Z, WHETHER YOU ARE CONTENT WITH PARA 2 ABOVE.

3.

PATTEN

YYYY

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