CONFIDENTIAL
Pa
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
HKB 011/11
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2987
OF 240702Z SEPTEMBER 91
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
PEKING PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
UKREP JLG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY
MY ANNUAL ADDRESS TO LEGCO: 9 OCTOBER
152124
MDHIAN 4246
Coon - Mr Calworkin
Mr Ehrman
Nub Governor's deadline means telegraphing on the
evening of 26 Sept. Consolidated comments?
& me
chett
IT IS
2579.
1 IN THIS YEAR'S LEGCO ADDRESS, I PROPOSE TO BREAK WITH THE TRADITION OF GIVING THE COUNCIL A DETAILED PROGRESS REPORT ON THE zi MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY PROGRAMME. INSTEAD, BRANCH SECRETARIES WILL, WHEN THEY SPEAK AT THE END OF THE DEBATE, NOT ONLY RESPOND TO POINTS MADE BY MEMBERS BUT ALSO PROVIDE A PROGRESS REPORT ON THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY. ALSO RELEVANT THAT THIS YEAR, UNLIKE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS I HAVE NO MAJOR NEW SPENDING PROGRAMMES TO ANNOUNCE. WE HAVE PLENTY ON OUR HANDS ALREADY. THE OBJECTIVE NOW MUST BE TO CONTINUE EXISTING PROGRAMMES WHICH PROVIDE FOR MASSIVE EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE, WHILE TRYING TO KEEP PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND INFLATION WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS.
2. ADOPTING THIS APPROACH WILL ALLOW ME TO FOCUS ON THE CENTRAL THEME OF MY ADDRESS, WHICH WILL BE TACKLING THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF TRANSITIONAL CHANGE WHICH ARE RE-SHAPING HONG KONG. THE ADDRESS WILL CONSIST OF THREE MAIN SECTIONS:
(A) CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE
(B) RELATIONS WITH CHINA
(C) PROGRESS REPORT AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
3. IN THE THIRD SECTION, I WILL DEAL WITH EIGHT MAJOR AREAS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY: THE ECONOMY, GOVERNMENT FINANCES, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, THE ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELFARE, PUBLIC ORDER AND VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS. I WILL LEAVE OTHER ISSUES, AND INDEED MUCH OF THE DETAIL ON THESE SUBJECTS, TO BRANCH SECRETARIES.
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