§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken, since April 1992, to discuss the extension of democracy in Hong Kong before 1997 with the Chinese Government in advance of the Governor's published statement.
§ Mr. GoodladWe have repeatedly told the Chinese side of our wish to see a faster pace of democratisation in Hong Kong by increasing the number of seats in the Legislative Council beyond that envisaged in the Basic Law. But the Chinese position has been that the Basic Law cannot be changed. We and the Governor therefore developed a parallel approach, consistent with the Basic Law. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs briefed the Chinese Foreign Minister on this approach in New York on 25 September, two weeks before the Governor's speech. The Governor sent a message in parallel to senior Chinese officials in Peking.