Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Johnson of Lainston on 18 May (HL 7382), whether Lord Johnson of Lainston raised any plans to end democratic elections for district councils with officials in Hong Kong; and whether they have made any assessment of whether any such plans are compliant with China’s obligations under the Sino–British Joint Declaration.

During his visit, Lord Johnson raised the deterioration of civil and political rights in Hong Kong, along with trade and investment matters.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is responsible for monitoring compliance with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, including its application to democratic elections for district councils in Hong Kong. The detail of these issues does not fall within Lord Johnson’s portfolio.