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The objectives of the Survey Office
8.
There are two principal objectives:
a) to obtain a wide public response to the
issues discussed in the Green Paper; and
b)
to report impartially and accurately the
submissions received and the views expressed on
į
the issues discussed in the Green Paper.
9.
Great care was taken in the 1984 assessment of
public response to the draft Sino-British Agreement to
maintain the impartiality and credibility of the
Assessment Office by ensuring that it did not appear in
any way to be influencing public opinion. The Government
was responsible for publishing the draft Agreement,
publicising it and explaining it to the public. The
Assessment Office described its approach towards receiving
views on the draft Agreement as "essentially passive".
10.
It is vital in the 1987 Review that public
opinion be expressed as fully as possible, and in
particular that the views of the "silent majority" are
elicited. The question of direct elections has already
produced groups with totally opposed opinions. Both
these groups will be suspicious of the Government's
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