§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and how he intends to make representations to the Government of China in relation to the Basic Law of Hong Kong.
§ Mr. MellorThe drafting of the Basic Law is the responsibility of the Chinese Government. However, as my right hon. and learned Friend stated in Parliament on 20 January, we will wish to satisfy ourselves that the Basic Law accurately reflects the provisions of the joint declaration. The draft Basic Law has already featured in a number of our exchanges with the Chinese authorities. If there are points which we consider are inconsistent with the joint declaration, we will make our views known to the Chinese authorities clearly and firmly.