view, with our support, that it was right for Hong Kong people
to know the approach we have been taking in the talks and the status of the proposals he announced last year. He therefore explains in his speech that in an effort to meet Chinese concerns, we have put forward revised proposals in the talks
on the functional constituencies and election committee.
These represent a major move. They show that we are serious
in seeking to make a success of the talks. The revised
proposals are of course consistent with the proposals I set
out above. We would be prepared to commend them to the
Legislative Council provided that they formed part of a
satisfactory overall agreement including acceptable arrangements for the "through train".
5.
As Chris Patten makes plain, we believe that it should be
possible to reach agreement with the Chinese Government on arrangements which are fully compatible with the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and any other relevant agreements.
We shall continue the talks in October with that aim: the
next Round is on 11 12 October. But we now have only weeks
rather than months to conclude these talks if enough time is
to be left to make the practical arrangements for elections in
1994 and 1995.
6.
Whatever the outcome of the talks, it will be for the
Legislative Council to consider and pass the necessary legislation. Chris Patten emphasises that the Hong Kong
Government will not indeed cannot go further than the
-
community and its legislature wish them to do.
7.
Our responsibility for holding elections in Hong Kong is of course only one aspect of our wider responsibility under
the Joint Declaration to administer Hong Kong until 30 June
1997. We intend to carry out that responsibility to the full.
There will also be a continuing need for Britain and China to
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