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24.
-11-
We will need to discuss the precise arrangements
for the establishment of this Committee.
But its main
purpose will be the vital task of creating an effective
working relationship between this Council and the
Administration, so that the Government is fully aware of
Members' concerns, and that this Council is fully briefed
on the proposals which the Government will be asking
Members to support.
25.
For
The reforms I have outlined will set the stage
for the changes which are planned for the 1995
elections. I know that many people regard the key issue
as being the number of directly-elected seats. On
present plans, this will rise from 18 to 20 in 1995, and
will increase at subsequent elections until the Council
is composed entirely of directly elected members.
some time, it has been argued that we should seek to
quicken the pace of this development, and the British
Government has pledged to pursue this with the Chinese
Government. Two weeks ago, therefore, during their
meeting in New York, the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs made the case to the Chinese
Foreign Minister for at least 30 members of the 1995
Legislative Council to be chosen by direct election.
British Government will continue to make this case with
vigour.
The
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