TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 51

GPS...

..2500

SECRET

37

4KK 011/3 [see (41

SECRET

RECEIVED IN PFG STRY

19 DEC 1983

DESK BY FCO . 19120OZ

DESK BY PEKING

20010OZ

FM HONG KONG 19093OZ DEC 83

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1973 OF 19 DECEMBER 1983

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

YOUR TELNO 587. To Peking

HKK

-040/4 (1423

по

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

1. THE FOLLOWING IS THE DRAFT OF A PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. SOME COMMENT ON IT WILL FOLLOW IN A SEPARATE TELEGRAM.

INTRODUCTION

1. THIS PAPER DISCUSSES A SCHEME UNDER WHICH PROGRESS TOWARDS A SELF SUSTAINING AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE COULD

BE MADE IN HONG KONG. IT COVERS MEANS BY WHICH THE MEMBERSHIP

OF BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS COULD BE FORMED BY AN ELECTIVE PROCESS, AND THE ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF A GOVERNOR OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

THE PRESENT POSITION

2. THE GOVERNOR IS APPOINTED BY THE QUEEN AND DERIVES HIS AUTHORITY FROM THE LETTERS PATENT, WHICH ESTABLISH THE BASIC FRAMEWORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. TOGETHER WITH THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH LAY DOWN PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED, THEY FORM THE CONSITUTION OF HONG KONG. THE LETTERS PATENT CREATE THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND EAL WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS IN RESPECT OF LEGISLATION, DISPOSAL OF LAND, THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES AND PUBLIC OFFICERS. THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS DEAL WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF

THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF FOUR EX OFFICIO MEMBERS (THE CHIEF SECRETARY, COMMANDER OF BRITISH FORCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE

ATTORNEY GENERAL, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEMBERS APPOINTED BY

THE GOVERNOR ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

THERE ARE 11 APPOINTED MEMBERS, UNOFFICIAL AND TWO OFFICIAL.

3. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF 3 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

(THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE ATTORNEY

GENERAL), 15 NOMINATED OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND 29 NOMINATED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. ALL MEMBERS, APART FROM THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

SECRET

14.

JEW STAY

447

Vibon Take

"

see (50) (54