SECRET
HKB 012 16
(4)
161656 MDHIAN 7733
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 644
RECEIVED
O SMAR 1990
DES:
TOP
1991
OF 20100OZ FEBRUARY 90
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
Tel out
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
PEKING PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
UKREP JLG HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY
attatched to
3
MY TELNO 636: CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE: 1991 LEGCO
pe for zile.
IN EXCO TODAY WE HAD A PRELIMINARY LOOK AT THE REST OF THE PACKAGE FOR 1991 AND CAME TO THE FOLLOWING TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS:
(I) FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES (AT PRESENT 14 SEATS): TREAT THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS AS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THEY SHOULD BE REPRESENTED IN LEGCO AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN CONTINUE BEYOND 1995. ADD A FURTHER 4 OR 5 FUNCTIONAL SEATS TO MAKE A TOTAL OF 20 OR 21.
(II) OFFICIALS (AT PRESENT 10): REDUCE TO THE 3 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, IE CS, AG AND FS. OTHER SECRETARIES TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AS NECESSARY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND, WITH A FLEXIBLE SYSTEM TO INTRODUCE OR RESPOND TO MATTERS RAISED DURING DEBATES ON LEGISLATION. WE WILL ALSO BE GIVING FURTHER THOUGHT TO NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ON SELECTED AREAS.
(III) APPOINTED MEMBERS (AT PRESENT 20): NECESSARY TO KEEP A SUFFICIENT NUMBER TO PROVIDE BALANCE IN THE NEW LEGCO WHICH WILL NOW PREDOMINANTLY BE ELECTED. REDUCE TO 18 OR 16.
(IV) CONSTITUENCIES: 9 TWO-MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES. EACH ELECTOR TO HAVE TWO VOTES. SIMPLE, FIRST PAST THE POST VOTING SYSTEM. ARRANGE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION WHEN DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS ARE INCREASED BY 2 IN 1995.
(V) PRESIDENCY: ONE APPOINTED MEMBER TO BE EARMARKED AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND INCREASINGLY TO TAKE OVER FROM THE PRESIDENT. TO HAVE NO OTHER VOTING OR SPEAKING ROLE IN LEGCO.
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