4
We must not lose sight of the most important objective
of political reform at this stage.
According to declarations of both the British and
Chinese governments in recent months, it has been repeatedly
stated that Hong Kong People Administering Hong Kong will be
the likely outcome of the negotiation. It is therefore
essential that the transfer of power from the Hong Kong British
Administration to the hands of our representatives be effected
with the least trauma.
I am concerned therefore that the Green Paper left
three extremely vital issues untackled:-
1.
2.
The two
If
The role and function of the Executive and
Legislative Councils, in particular their
relationship with the Administration.
Councils are presently still advisory. The Green
Paper has ruled out the ministerial system.
Hong Kong is to have self administration,
immediate steps must be taken to change the
advisory status of the two Councils to enable
them to take on a monitoring function, so that in
future they become responsible and accountable to
the public, as decision makers in the
Administration and not merely advisers to it.
The appointment of unofficials and senior
officials. It is essential that the system of
appointing members to the district boards,
regional councils and the two higher Councils as
well as other major statutory bodies and senior
posts in the Administration be slowly taken up by
a committee composed of both officials and
unofficials with criteria of assessment and