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being prepared to tolerate a democratically elected Government in Hong Kong with full responsibility for internal affairs. Neverthe- less, as time goes on it could become increasingly embarrassing for the British Government to have to defend in Parliament the
maintenance of an undemocratic and non-elective system of government, parlicularly if there were significant pressure for more democracy among the people of Hong Kong. At present the great majority of the people seem mainly interested in assured employment, a rising standard of living, protection from violent crime, decent housing, good education and health services and adequate social welfare. Such evidence as we have suggests that they are generally satisfied with (ar indifferent to) the present form of government: the individuals and organisations who now advocate democratic reforms appear to have little public support. But we cannot take it for granted that this state of affairs will continue indefinitely. Rising expectations are creating their own pressures; improved education at the secondary and university levels will result in an increasingly articulate public opinion; the growing student popu- lation may become less docile. We also have to take account of malaise in the public service, currently over-burdened because of
the rapid expansion of government.
13. The problem will be to devise means of giving the people of Hong Kong a greater say in their own government without causing alarm in Peking. Some moves in this direction have already been made.
Unofficial members of the Legislative Council are now somewhat more representative of the population as a whole than was the case only a few years' ago. And considerable efforts are being made, through soundings of public opinion and through the issue of Green and White Papers, to make Government more responsive to the wishes of the population. But there may also be scope, without offending Chinese susceptibilities, for more elective democracy. The solution
/currently
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