TNAG-2990-FCO40-3574-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 117

CONFIDENTIAL

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4.

The British Government would like to make a number

of comments on this proposal:

(A)

(B)

(C)

Separate vote counting would slow up the passage of legislation and hamper the efficient conduct of

business;

Under the proposed provision, a Government bill that fails to secure a majority of both categories

of members could, after amendment, be re-submitted

for approval by a simple majority. It is doubtful

whether anything would be achieved by the initial

separate vote counting;

If the final version of the Basic Law adopts this provision, there will be criticism in Hong Kong

have disregarded local

that

opinions.

the drafters

This would

have an adverse affect on

public attitudes to the Basic Law as a whole;

(D)

The

5.

British Government would not be able to

introduce in 1995 voting procedures to which there

were such strong local objections.

Government

The British Government suggest that the Chinese should retain the second paragraph of Article 74

of the Draft Basic Law published by the Standing Committee

of the National People's Congress on 21 February 1989.

P4697

CONFIDENTIAL