TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 21

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THE BASIS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS. ALTERNATIVELY MEMBERO ELECTED FROM THESE CONSTITUENCIES TO REGIONAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS COULD PROVIDE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE MENTIONED IN PARA 5(3)I ABOVE. REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS FOR INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND THE PROFESSIONS ALREADY EXIST. IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO ARRANGE

FOR SOME COLLABOH EWIUJZZMONG THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

8. WHATEVER METHOD IS ADOPTED THERE WOULD NEED TO BE A CHANGE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. HE WOULD STILL CHAIR THE COUNCIL BUT AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT HE WOULD BE BOUND TO ACCEPT AND IMPLEMENT THE COUNCIL'S DECISIONS, UNLESS THERE WERE AREAS RESERVED FOR HIS PERSONAL DECISION BY LAW. SINCE NO GOVERNOR HAS GONE AGAINST THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN LIVING MEMORY THIS WOULD ONLY FORMALISE AN EXISTING SITUATION.

TIMESCALE

9. WHICHEVER METHOD OR COMBINATION OF METHODS IS CHOSEN, THE

NEW SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEXT

DECADE. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT CHANGES WERE BROUGHT ABOUT WHILE THE

PRESENT ADMINISTRATION ENJOYED FULL AUTHORITY TO ACT. THE LINK OF

AUTHORITY WITH THE UK COULD NEVERTHELESS REMAIN UNBROKEN UNTIL

1997. THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1985 AND

1996 PROVIDE A READY MADE OPPORTUNITY FOR LAUNCHING THE FIRST STEP

IN A SEQUENCE OF WIDENING THE ROLE OF ELECTIONS IN THE TERRITORY.

MEASURES TO EXTEND THE ELECTED PROCESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND FINALLY TO THE SELECTION OF THE GOVERNOR

COULD FOLLOW PROGRESSIVELY THEREAFTER.

ENDS.

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

D/HD/PUSD (MR FLOWER)

RES.D. (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD

MR WRIGHT SIR C TICKELL

COPIES TO:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS

NEWS D

MR. BURROWS LEGAL ADVS

MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST

SIR A PARSONS NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE

MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE

MR BRENNAN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

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