Dunn

1.

Paper.

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON LYDIA DUNN, CBE, LLD, JP LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 16.3.88

White Paper : "The Development of Representative Government The Way Forward

I support the plans and intentions in the White

2.

Green

F

The one thing that has come clearly out of the Paper consultation exercise is that the people of Hong Kong do want more representative government, or put another way, a greater say in the way in which Hong Kong is governed. There is also no doubt that nearly all see

the introduction of directly elected members into this Council as the next stage in the development of our system of government, a system which has been evolving for many

years.

1

!

3.

The one lively issue that emerged from the most extensive SUIVAY of public opinion that Hong Kong had

ever seen is Over the timing of

of that next step

!

when

the first directly elected seats in the Legislative Council

should be introduced. It is a great pity that the outcome

of the debate on

debate on this issue has been so divisive. Most. of us hoped that the Survey Report would clear the air

and leave นะ in

no doubt where the strength of opinion

lay. It did not do

not do so. Despite this, some people have

made their demand for direct elections this year touchstone of the sincerity of the Government, even 2 test of its ability to govern. To them, I would say this. IS the views of the community on this issue had been 28 decisive as those on all the other key issues in the Green

Paper', and had clearly supported their demands, I, and

I have no doubt all my colleagues on the Executive Council, would have advised you, Sir, to introduce direct directions

this year.

But no responsible government can make,

ST'd

>H SIÐ ÞI:21 88. 91 JUW

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