CCPR/C/SR.857 page 16
82.
Mr. MARTIN (United Kingdom) said that the "Green" and "White" Paper exercise had been intended to provide guidelines for policy through 1991, after which the Basic Law would apply. The "White" Paper indicated that there was definite support for the development of a directly elected element in the legislature, but there was deep division as to the timing for such a measure. Concern had been expressed that making a great many changes too quickly might be disruptive, undermining the confidence which was so essential for the future of Hong Kong. It was for that reason that the United Kingdom Government had taken a cautious approach to direct elections, but the number of candidates therefor would nevertheless be increased in 1991.
83.
Concerning the United Kingdom's reservation on article 25 (b) of the Covenant, he said it might be reviewed if developments before 1997 would allow Hong Kong's Executive Council to be entirely composed of directly elected representatives.
84.
As to Mr. El-Shafei's comment, he said that any suggestion that the Hong Kong Government had breached a commitment to hold elections in 1988 had been strongly and consistently denied by both that Government and the Government of the United Kingdom.
85.
Mr. ZIELINSKI asked for clarification on the exact number of members of the Legislative Council who were directly elected.
86. Mr. MARTIN (United Kingdom) said that of the 57 representatives, 10 were "official" members, meaning they were heads of various civil service branches in the Hong Kong Government. There were 20 members who were appointed by the Governor but did not hold other Government positions. Fourteen members were elected by functional constituencies or interest groups such as lawyers, nurses, doctors, chambers of commerce or accountants. Twelve members were elected by the electoral college. In all, 41 per cent of the members were elected, though not through direct suffrage.
XIV.
Rights of minorities (article 27)
87.
Mr. FEARN (United Kingdom) said conditions in the dependent territories were such as to permit the effective enjoyment by ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities of the rights enunciated in article 27.
and 88. The CHAIRMAN observed that there were no comments under section XIV, that the Committee had thus concluded its consideration of the list of issues.
89. Mr. LALLAH expressed appreciation of the replies given by the United Kingdom delegation. He drew particular attention to the Committee's comments regarding publicity, and suggested that consideration should be given to disseminating the record of the Committee's discussion to the legislature and public in Hong Kong, in view of the importance for them of the issues discussed.
90. Mr. DIMITRIJEVIC said that the Committee had managed to complete its consideration of the report in good time mainly because of the succinct and Attention had been precise answers given by the United Kingdom delegation. concentrated on Hong Kong because of the imminent transition there; and the
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