XN000022-1985-03-13 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1985

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accountable to the people of Hong Kong. The second objective is to provide for changes in the composition and method of selection of the Legislative Council which will ensure that it is broadly based, and which will minimise any tendency

any factional politics and divisiveness. The third objective is to provide а foundation for further developments in the composition and method of selection of the membership of the Legislative Council, in the light of experience gained. course, the

Of

ultimate objective of our present plans and any later extensions and modifications of those plans is, to ensure that a system of government is firmly established during the next twelve years which will preserve and enhance the essential features of our present society. If this is achieved then we can be hopeful of a smooth transition for Hong Kong from its present status as a British Dependent Territory to that of A Special Administrative Region of China, with a high degree of autonomy. With effect

effect from the 1985-86 Session, the total

membership of the Legislative Council will comprise 56 members: 12 will be drawn from the electoral college constituencies (i.e. 10, from the district board level and two from the regional council level), 12 from functional constituencies, 22 will be appointed by the Governor and 10

will be selected civil servants.

The Bill is structured in eight parts with two

separate schedules which set out details of the various constituencies, the categories of persons who are eligible to be registered as electors in each of them, and the number of members to be elected in each constituency.

Part I of the Bill is largely preliminary and calls

for little elaboration. However, it does introduce two new concepts in the context of functional constituencies: that of an "electoral division" and of a "substantial connexion".

/The concept