TNAG-2877-FCO40-4149-Future-of-Hong-Kong-adaptation-of-laws-1993 — Page 111

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MDLIAN 2623

A NUMBER OF BILLS FOR ENACTMENT BY THIS COUNCIL IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS

TO TAKE EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997.

C) THE BASIC LAW DOES NOT ENTER INTO FORCE UNTIL 1 JULY 1997. UNDER ITS PROVISIONS, THE BASIC LAW WILL BE INTERPRETED BY THE COURTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, OR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL

PEOPLE'S CONGRESS. IN PREPARING THE REQUIRED. ADAPTATIONS OF OUR LAWS TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY WITH THE BASIC LAW, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO TAKE A VIEW ON THE MEANING OF CERTAIN OF ITS PROVISIONS. TO ENSURE THAT OUR VIEW COINCIDES WITH THAT OF THE CHINESE SIDE WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO CONSULT THEM. CLEARLY, IF AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE ADAPTATION OF HONG KONG'S LAWS FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BASIC LAW, THAT WOULD BE THE BEST MEANS OF ENSURING THAT NONE OF OUR LAWS WILL BE DECLARED TO BE IN CONTRAVENTION WITH THE BASIC LAW BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NPC UNDER ARTICLE 160 OF THE BASIC LAW.

3.

THE REPLY HAS BEEN CLEARED WITH UKREP JLG.

4. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL DEAL WITH ANY SUPPLEMENTARIES AS APPROPRIATE.

PATTEN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

43

.JLG RESTRICTED

HKD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BROOKS

ADDITIONAL

.JLG RESTRICTED CAOFF//MR ABBOT

Natal

DISTRIBUTION

47

NEWS D

PUSD

RAD

MR HUM

CAOFF//MS D CORNER CAOFF MR SIBSON

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