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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
For the Legislative Council, the 4-year term of office for functional constituencies and the electoral college seats could commence from 1988.
Direct elections to the Legislative Council could then be held in 1990 for a first period of two years, and then for four-year terms starting from 1992. Another alternative would be to go for a 4-year term commencing 1990; this would then mean that elections for directly elected and indirectly elected seats to the Legislative Council would be staggered at two-year intervals.
Functional Constituencies
In regard to the functional constituencies in Legco, I am in favour of increasing in 1988 the existing 12 seats by at least two seats:
One seat for the accounting profession
An additional seat for the education constituency, specifically for higher education
Other additional functional constituencies which may be considered are:
One seat for the hotel and travel industry combined
One seat for the media and advertising industry combined
One seat for the construction industry
One seat for the financial services sector in addition to the banking constituency
Electoral College Constituencies
A review should also be made as to whether the electoral college constituencies seats should be increased due to population redistribution and also whether in view of the financial and environmental responsibilities of the Urban Council and the Regional Council, an additional seat each should be allotted to both Councils.
Appointed Legco Seats
Government will no doubt have to consider reducing the number of appointed Legco seats in 1988, but it is to be hoped that the reduction will be at an acceptable level, since many of the appointed members have had long years of experience and public service both within and outside of Legco, and have contributed significantly towards keeping the business of Legco moving smoothly and efficiently.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am in favour of direct election in the Legislative Council. However, the number of directly elected seats must not exceed the percentage stipulated in the Basic Law and direct election should be introduced as soon as possible after the promulgation of the Basic Law. With these words, I support the motion.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, (1) The debate on the Green Paper is drawing to a close. It is hoped that the meeting can gather and reflect the Councillors' views to the Survey Office as a kind of contribution of the Council.
Green Paper is the best way to collect public opinion. Unfortunately, the public is too busy with earning their livelihood, only a minority can understand what the Green Paper intends to tell. Not all of the recommendations in it are understood by the electors and some of the points even mislead the public to think in an opposite direction. I wonder to what stage has the public's civic consciousness developed and how many people can understand their rights and obligations? So in the first place I object to the introduction of direct election by means of universal suffrage. What our people need is economic development and a stable life. Should political activities be those that lead to economic collapse and plunge Hong Kong into a situation beyond redemption, not only would I voice objection, but all the people as well. We have to take precautions just in case economic collapse would happen. Thus I object to the introduction of direct elections by means of universal suffrage in 1988. It is better to wait until we have completed the Basic Law and achieved a higher registration rate of electors.
(2) There is the so-called 'final jurisdiction' in law, but the final say always rests with sovereignty and the Basic Law will be our highest commandment. If great changes are made now, which one should we base on should there be conflicts between the existing political structure and the Basic Law in the future? The opinionated ones would stick to their own ideas. Unwilling to keep silent, they would find excuses to voice objection. As a result, serious conflicts would arise. Is it not branching out side issues which affect stability and prosperity? Therefore, I believe that changes should not be made with undue haste. Jumping the gun is against the rules of sports, so it is better to give the matter further thoughts and wait until the promulgation of the Basic Law. It will not be too late to consider the advantages and disadvantages so as to weigh up the matter then. Why should we stir up trouble and plunge the world into chaos? I hope there unnecessary incidents will not happen while all the pros and cons will be weighed in the future. In my opinion, our future sovereign should give us a chance to take care of the public and accept public opinion. We should not set any format which they do not know whether to accept or not. As a Chinese, I respect the views of my own nation. Although some people may mis-understand my views, I believe that before and during the initialling, the format should be maintained until after the promulgation of the Basic Law. So, I advocate that discussion on the issue should be conducted after the Basic Law is promulgated. If the Reform Club's earlier suggestion of electing Legislative Councillors through direct election were adopted, there would not have been today's controversy. It seems to me that it is due to a lack of far-sightedness of the politicians of the early years that give rise to today's controversy. I hope you can express your precious opinion so as to give me guidance.
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