SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 04090OZ FCO
TELNO R
OF 02033OZ JANUARY 88
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
MY 6TH IPT:
SECRET
HRB
011/1
15 JAN 1988
0187
111710
MDHIAN 2141
TOP COPY
Q DIST 7
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
WHITE PAPER.
CHAPTER VI
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
59. GREEN PAPER RAISED THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE GOVERNOR
SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. NEARLY 95,000 SUBMISSIONS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE, 110 PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS AND TWO SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS ADDRESSED THE ISSUE. THERE
WAS A CLEAR MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF THE GOVERNOR REMAINING AS
PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS SOME SUPPORT FOR THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNOR MIGHT APPOINT ANOTHER PERSON TO PRESIDE OVER SPECIFIC
MEETINGS OR PARTS OF MEETINGS.
60. IN THE LIGHT OF THIS RESPONSE THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE GOVERNOR WILL CONTINUE TO BE PRESIDENT. WHEN HE IS UNABLE TO PRESIDE, A MEMBER APPOINTED BY HIM OR THE SENIOR OFFICIAL MEMBER PRESENT WILL DO SO, AS IN THE PAST.
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