LIBERAL and conservative legislators yesterday hit out at the composition of the working committee.
Independent legislator Emily Lau Wai-hing said the fact that the body lacked a liberal voice was a regression and showed the Chinese Government was not willing to tolerate dissenting views.
The 1985 Basic Law Drafting Committee included liberals, such as United Democrats chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming and party member Szeto Wah.
''You can see from 1985 to 1993, the Chinese Government has taken a giant step backward,'' she said.
''I think Beijing is sending very, very bad signals to the people that they will not tolerate different views. They will not tolerate people who do not toe the Communist Party line.'' She said the list was a bad precedent for the through train and which legislators would serve beyond 1997.
''These people on the list do not have a track record of fighting for an open government or democratic institutions, but they are going to advise the Chinese Government on the arrangements for transition,'' Miss Lau said.