GOUT HOUSE HK
190
3-20 12:03
10 -
18.
There will be no change in the composition of the
District Boards and Municipal Councils on this occasion.
This is not a passive decision. Arguments have been
advanced in favour of altering the balance of membership in
the Municipal Councils and also in the District Boards.
These arguments have been well made. Our reason for not
proceeding is essentially that the changes proposed to this
council are enough to digest at one time and that changes
to the Municipal Councils and the District Boards at the
same time might distract from the first direct elections to
this council. Thus, for the moment, they will preserve the
present arrangement by which about one third of their
membership is appointed.
We will, however, review the
situation again before the 1995 elections, with a view to
further change.
19.
Members will, of course, have the opportunity in
due course to scrutinize and debate the legislation nich
will give effect to the arrangements which I have just
outlined. The legislation will include other practical
arrangements, currently under review including election
expenses, nomination procedures and election deposits.
would like to assure members that we are conscious of the
need to set them in place as early as possible in order to
allow those who wish to stand for election adequate time to
prepare themselves.
I