prospect of further development in this direction following a further review in 1987, which will consider also the question of
direct elections. At the same time it rightly avoids sudden and
dramatic changes, which could unsettle the very stability that
all our efforts are designed to secure.
Minister of State for Hong Kong (Mr Luce) in the House
5 December 1984
The constitutional development of Hong Kong has caused great
interest and a large number of hon. Members have expressed legitimate concerns. We all fully accept that we should build’ up a firmly-based, democratic administration in Hong Kong in the
years between now and 1997. The White Paper sets out the
proposals on elections to the Legislative Council in 1985, after
taking account of public comments on the earlier Green Paper.
The White Paper envisages a step-by-step approach that is the right way of proceeding to more representative government which takes fully into account Hong Kung's special circumstances
and traditions.
Foreign Secretary (Sir G Howe)
July 1989
In recent years, Hong Kong has been developing a more
representative system of government. When the Joint Declaration
was signed in 1984 there were no elected Members of the
Legislation Council.
We have always sought to develop
representative government in line with the wishes of the
community as a whole and to ensure that what is achieved under
British administration is firm and durable. These will remain
the guiding principles as we consider the way forward. ... It is
now clear that Hong Kong opinion has moved on since last year.
Britain will continue to construct its approach to this question on the basis of the views that Hong Kong people themselves express.
dec.mt.PR
SLM