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CONFIDENTIAL
destabilising. The debate is now
focussing
OVERSTATES?
THE BASIC
STILL Т
Over. State? the s question VERY NAT DELDER
increasingly
on the
There
timing of the introduction of direct elections and the proportion of
Council members Legislative Council
to be selected by this method. seems to have been an acceptance, even among the more conversative business and professional groupings, that the direct election of up
to 25%
the Legislative Council would be tolerable: and might neutralise demands for even more radical change. However business
in groups are
increasingly doubtful private becoming wisdom of introducing them in 1988.
14.
members
of
wide a
about
the
for
Despite recent controversy surrounding the role of appointed
measure of public support in the Legislative Council.
there is still
retention of an appointed element
am
system of
The
indirect elections
elections based on functional constituencies is
also
supported, generally
and there
?
expansion.
à substantial
A SUBSTANTIAL
15.
are calls for its further
UNDERSTATED? Under stated? Umut? FOR
отн? Whist?
There is less unanimity of view on the electoral college.
two regional
Members of the District Boards and
councils will
probably support its retention, because it provides them with direct access to membership of the Legislative Council.
the electoral
is to be
concern
that
narrowly-based.
avoid the
membership
I f the
of
concept
However there is
too is college
retained there
is
a
widespread feeling that the system of election should be changed to
unpleasant
which developed in 1985.
16.
factional
rivalries
within District Boards
NOT FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS
or for
Whis
PAPER SOUM NOT
hope no not over. signat
NON OVERSIGNAL
the
The question of separation of powers of the executive and legislature and, in particular, the possible conflict between roles of the Governor as head of the executive and as president of the Legislative Council are being actively debated in the media and It is doubtful whether the by academics and political commentators.
If the issues involved are widely understood within the community. present position is to be changed, it will be necessary to consider
now the powers carefully how to allocate
exercised by the Governor
in
British the exercised
as
president,
which include
powers
Parliament by the speaker, the Government of the day and the Houses
of Parliament themselves.
??
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