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Congress.

the

23

The Basic Law Drafting Committee appointed by

National People's Congress has met on three occasions in Peking.

of its 59 members come from Hong Kong. Five Special Groups have

been established to consider particular areas

of the Basic Law.

Mainland members of the Special Groups have made study tours to Hong

Kong where they have consulted a wide range

groups. The Special roups have made progress reports

Basic Law Drafting Committee. It is expected that on the basis

these reports the Drafting Committee will, in the Course of 1987,

consider drafts of individual articles of the Basic Law. A full

draft is due to be published in 1988.

19.

of individuals and

to the full

of

The Basic Law Consultative Committee in Hong Kong has also

been active

in

collecting the views of the Hong Kong people and

reflecting these to the Basic Law Drafting Committee.

20.

the

Her Majesty's Government welcome the steps taken by

Chinese Government to consult the people of Hong Kong on a wide

basis on the drafting of the Basic Law, and will continue to follow

the drafting process closely.

V.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

21.

of

Last year's report

report described in some detail the historical

background to the development

representative government in Hong

Kong, which is now structured on a framework of three separate but

inter-connected tiers: District Boards, Municipal Councils and the

Legislative Council.

22.

The District Boards are advisory bodies established in each

of the 19 urban and New Territories administrative districts. Some

two-thirds of District Board members are directly elected, on the

franchise which includes all adults over the age of 21

have resided in Hong Kong for a minimum of 7 years.

third of members

appointed by the Hong

basis of a

years who

remaining

are

The

Kong

Government.

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