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2
now
is
The differences of opinion voiced in the Legislative Council
on the direction which further political reforms should
should take is
measure of the considerable public interest in these issues which
being focussed on the forthcoming review of representative
government.
The issue attracting the greatest attention, particularly in the media, is whether an element of direct elections to the Legislative Council should be introduced, and, in particular,
whether they should be introduced in 1988. Opinion on the issue is
divided. The Hong Kong Government has not
view on what
taken any view
the outcome of the 1987 review should be. Its aim will be to seek
the widest possible public response, SO as to ensure that it can take full account of all shades of Hong Kong opinion in considering what changes, if any, are required as a result of the review.
30.
Committee
The publicity surrounding the work of the Basic Law Drafting
has stimulated public debate on the question of further
political reform. The Basic Law will not come into force until 1 July 1997. Nevertheless, the importance of achieving compatibility
structure of government as it continues to evolve up to
1997 and the structure of the future Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government after 1997, is widely understood by
the community.
between the
VI.
CIVIL SERVICE
Localisation
31.
in
Although there has been mo major change in
in the Hong Kong
Government's Localisation policy in the past two decades, the
of practice
giving suitable Local candidates preference appointment to recruitment ranks has continued to bear fruit as some
of these
these officers have acquired experience and have been promoted through the ranks. In the senior management/professional grades,
Local officers
hold now
over 70% of the 1,500 posts whilst
directorate (ie most senior) ranks, the proportion has reached 50% of the 940 positions. The Hong Kong Government is confident that
the
the
enable continued application of
current policy will
top
posts to be filled by Local officers
Local officers in the years before 1997, in
in
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