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B.
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
WHY WAS A REFERENDUM NOT HELD TO TEST ACCEPTABILITY OF DRAFT
AGREEMENT?
165. Very real drawbacks to a referendum. In the special political
circumstances of Hong Kong, important to avoid risk of provoking
factional divisions or disturbances which could leave the results of
a referendum open to real doubt. Moreover, in Hong Kong where there
has not been established any pattern of universal suffrage for all
electors, government believed that a process of consultation on
acceptability of agreement through the well-developed channels
familiar to Hong Kong people was the best way to obtain an
assessment of the rull range and quality of opinions on this complex
matter.
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JUST A RUBBER STAMP?
166. No. Attach great importance to assessment process: have
emphasised throughout that arrangements proposed for Hong Kong's
future must be acceptable to its people. Assessor's report has
collated their views impartially. Know Parliament will attach
highest importance to them in deciding whether to endorse HMG's
intention to sign agreement.
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LONG ENOUGH?
167.
Confident that arrangements made provided ample time for
people of Hong Kong to comment on this important matter.
CONFIDENTIALITY
168. Confidentiality fully guaranteed by arrangements made for
assessment procedure. Only written submissions from main Hong Kong organisations made public, with their consent. Other submissions
will be kept under seal in Hong Kong Public Records Office until ratification of agreement. Thereafter destroyed.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORTS?
169.
These are admirably clear and comprehensive reports. We welcome the conclusion of both reports that "most of the people of Hong Kong find the draft agreement acceptable". This provides the best possible basis on which the Government can comment the draft
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