§ 28. Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress towards democracy in Hong Kong. [40519]
§ Mr. FatchettWe strongly support the goal of a legislature elected by universal suffrage, as provided for by the Basic Law, and welcome the HKSAR Government's commitment to this goal. We hope that this will be achieved according to a timetable reflecting the wishes of the people of Hong Kong.
The fact that elections will be held on 24 May to replace the unelected provisional legislature is a welcome step towards more representative government, although we have concerns about some of the detailed arrangements, particularly in the functional constituencies.