CHAPTER 2
Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong
Following the publication of the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong on 21.11.84 and the enactment of the Legislative Council (Electoral Provisions) Ordinance 1985 in early April, the Legislative Council was set for structural changes with a view to bringing about a more representative system of government.
For the 1985/86 session, 24 Members of the Legislative Council would be elected and 22 appointed directly by the Governor. Of the 24 elected Members, 12 Members would be returned by an electoral college consisting of 10 geographically-defined constituencies made up of members of the District Boards, and two special constituencies made up of members of the Urban Council and the Regional Council respectively. The remaining 12 would be returned through nine functional constituencies, each representing a major sector of the community having common social, economic and occupational interests. The nine constituencies are commercial functional constituency, industrial functional constituency, financial functional constituency, labour functional constituency, social services functional constituency, medical functional constituency, teaching functional constituency, legal functional constituency as well as engineering, architectural, surveying and planning functional constituency. The number of Official Members would be reduced to 10 in the new line-up, thus bringing the total membership of LegCo to 56.
The paragraphs below give an account of the debates in the Legislative Council on the White Paper and the subsequent enactment of the Legislative Council (Electoral Provisions) Ordinance 1985.
Legislative Council Debate on the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong Following the publication of the Green Paper in mid-July, the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong was presented to LegCo by the Governor on 21.11.84. The purpose of the White Paper was to set out, in the light of public reactions, the Government's intentions for 1985 with regard to the next stage of developing representative government in Hong Kong. The White Paper had, at the same time, taken into account the provisions of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong.
The debate on the White Paper took place at the LegCo sittings on 9.1.85 and 10.1.85 on the following motion, moved by the Chief Secretary:-
"That this Council welcomes the plans and intentions described in the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong.”
Twenty-nine Members spoke during the debate, generally welcoming the plans contained in the White Paper and supporting the gradual approach adopted for the development of representative government.
Dr Harry FANG said that the functional constituencies concept was an important interim measure and it should be retained until such time as candidates from various professions were returned by direct elections to a much enlarged legislature. He said that all registered medical practitioners should be eligible to nominate candidates, stand for election and vote in the medical constituency. He further pointed out that being the most homogeneous group amongst the functional constituencies, the medical constituency was particularly well-placed to test the direct election concept.
Dr Francis TIEN supported the progressive approach towards the development of representative government in Hong Kong. He warned against over-rapid or ill- judged political change at any level and stressed the importance of continuity in the governance of Hong Kong.
Mr Alex WU agreed with the aims of the White Paper and said it should prepare Hong Kong people for self- rule after 1997. He pointed out that the education of adults in political and constitutional matters should be given greater priority than that for young people because the latter had a better chance of acquainting themselves with the subject through the school curriculum.
Mr S L CHEN observed that any political reform should have full regard to maintaining social stability and economic prosperity in Hong Kong. He was pleased with the proposals contained in the White Paper which were broadly in line with the recommendations made by UMELCO. He said that the underlying philosophy of election through functional constituencies was to
enable the various "functions" to contribute to the community rather than for the interests of those groups to be protected in LegCo. He further urged the people of Hong Kong to put forward their views on problems arising from the implementation of the proposals in the White Paper and that the Government should carefully monitor public opinion and should extend the consultation network as wide as possible.
Miss Lydia DUNN said that the intentions in the White Paper were both timely and relevant to the present circumstances. She added that whatever the ultimate form and structure of government, the Hong Kong style and system had to be preserved intact. In addition, she
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