"DEMOCRACY DELEGATION'S" GREEN PAPER
Mr Lee's delegation asserts that the Hong Kong public
overwhelmingly favour the introduction of direct
elections in 1988; that Britain effectively promised
to do so; that China has pressured Britain to delay;
and that HK is undergoing a confidence crisis.
I have already dealt with most of these points; the
results of the review will be announced very soon.
The Review was a genuine one.
The Survey Office has given appropriate weight to
the responses from all sections of the community.
I have every confidence in the meticulous way in
which they went about their job. Their report
does not support Mr Lee's claims about the state
of public opinion. It found HK opinion sharply
divided on the timing of the introduction of direct
This finding is consistent with what has
emerged in debate and discussion at every level in HK
from the Legislative Council downwards.
elections.
Most strongly reject allegations of "broken promises".
Mr Lee unable to quote any commitment to introduce
/direct