TNAG-2990-FCO40-3574-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 125

CONFIDENTIAL

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confine myself to saying, as far as 1995 is concerned, that there will be no fewer than 29 seats in the legislature. But you may be sure that the British government will continue to recognise the advantage of continuity between arrangements before and after 1997.

There

previous

concern.

is one other issue

referred to in my

messages which continues to cause me great That is the provision for separate vote counting have in mind. This provision has been badly

which you

received in Hong Kong, where it is seen as highly divisive

administratively inefficient by most people.

and

I have to

say that if such a provision is retained, it would be extremely difficult to commend, as we would wish, the

arrangements in the basic law concerning the political I therefore strongly urge you not to include

arrangements for separate vote counting in the basic law. This is a very important point for opinion in Hong Kong,

structure.

I agree in

you propose for an

established in 1995.

principle with the arrangements which electoral committee, which could be

The precise details of how this

should be done can be discussed between our two sides in due course.

Meanwhile,

hope that the five principles

which you have agreed can be reflected in the basic law.

I

the

number

for

continue to

feel that the limit you propose on of seats in the Legislative Council of the SAR those permanent Hong Kong residents who are not Chinese nationals, Or who have a right Of abode in foreign countries, could create difficulties for the continuity of of the legislature between 1995 and 1997 which

all members

PRITTAL