HKB 011/7
decision on RECEMED IN EEGISTRY
11
1993
20 July 1993
The
YA
REGISTRY
Acton Takan
SECRET
Mr Man's Mr Bunker 3/5 1. Smule 1/8
Cur
2/8
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL
Reneed for
pa. Exce Froper
Blue Volume XXXXXV(22) 3)
XCX(93)36 Copy No. ph. Elections
(FCs)
A
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
THE PROBLEM
We need to identify possible new functional constituencies (FCs) for the 1995 Legislative Council for discussion with the Chinese side. The opportunity should also be taken to review the future of the Urban Council, Regional Council, and Rural FCs.
RECOMMENDATION
2
(a)
(b)
It is recommended that -
our negotiators should be authorized to put the list of 12 possible new FCs at Annex A to the Chinese side at the next round (expected to be in mid-August) to begin the process of negotiations on FCs; and
we should at the same time propose to the Chinese side that the Urban Council, Regional Council, and Rural FCs should be abolished as from 1995.
3
Members will be asked to advise whether these recommendations should be approved.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENTS
Progress in Negotiations on Functional Constituencies
4
After seven rounds of talks, we have now built up a fairly good picture of Chinese ideas on the arrangements for the 1994-95 elections. There are some questions concerning the Election Committee (EC) which remain to be clarified, but hopefully we will be able to tease out the Chinese position on these at the eighth round on 20 - 22 July 1993. On the existing FCs, the Chinese side have proposed to retain the status quo; as for the nine additional FC seats in the 1995 Legislative Council, the Chinese proposed that they should go to Labour, Agriculture and Fishing, Textile
Executive Council