Hong Kong (Hansard, 30 November 1993)

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to repeal the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance in Hong Kong before the handover of the colony in 1997.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The Hong Kong Government intend to enact in 1994 an omnibus broadcasting Bill to consolidate and update the present legislation on television broadcasting. On enactment of the omnibus broadcasting Bill, the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance will be repealed. This proposal is not related to the transfer of sovereignty in 1997.

§ Mr. Sims
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whose responsibility it will be to submit an annual report on adherence to the international covenant for civil and political rights within Hong Kong to the United Nations after 1997; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
China is committed under international law in the joint declaration to ensure that the provisions of the international covenant for civil and political rights as applied to Hong Kong will remain in force after 1997. The responsibility for submitting reports on Hong Kong after 1997 will therefore pass to China. We are discussing with the Chinese in the Sino-British joint liaison group the mechanisms by which this might be achieved.

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of Radio Television Hong Kong.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The Hong Kong Government are continuing to consider the question of corporatisation of Radio Television Hong Kong. No final decisions have been taken.

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Emergency Regulations Ordinance applicable in Hong Kong is in conflict with the Bill of Rights Ordinance.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The question of whether the Emergency Regulations Ordinance applicable in Hong Kong is consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance is currently under review by the Attorney-General of the Hong Kong Government. This review is expected to be completed in December.