§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those topics and areas for discussion concerning Hong Kong at meetings of the Joint Liaison Group upon which there will be prior consultation with LEGCO.
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§ Mr. Garel-Jones[holding answer 21 November 1991]: Under the terms of the joint declarations the proceedings of the joint liaison group (the main role of which is to conduct consultations on the implementation of the joint declaration and to discuss matters relating to the smooth transfer of government in 1997) are confidential unless the two sides agree otherwise. The joint declaration stipulates that the JLG shall play no part in the administration of Hong Kong before or after 1997. The implementation in Hong Kong of some agreements reached in the JLG requires new legislation or the provision of funds by the Legislative Council. The Hong Kong Government wish to build up a co-operative partnership with the council, and intend to provide members with all the information and explanations that they need to assess the Administration's policies.