A.W.O. Ltd. 11:82. 56-3683. 200m.
6.
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DSR 11C
judgement. The inherent difficulties emphasise the
importance of maintaining a consensus in Exco in support
of HMG's aims and strategy.
Ought not the scope of consultation be widened to include
the elected bodies?
The elected bodies in Hong Kong are more comparable to
municipal or district councils in the UK than to
Parliament. There is no real electoral tradition in
Hong Kong and voter turnouts are low by UK standards.
(Urban Council elections prior to 1983 were held on a
restricted franchise. In 1983, 22.4% of registered
electors voted but even this was a turnout 20 times
larger than in the previous elections in 1981. In the
New Temtones District Board elections in the Mai Tai and
the Urban areas in 1982, 50% and 35% of the registered
electors voted, but only about 30% of those eligible
to register actually did so.)
have limited local functions.
Moreover, these bodies
Members elected to carry
out these roles are not necessarily those who would be
elected to govern Hong Kong.
7. Would we give the right of veto to (a) ExCo (b) the
people of Hong Kong?
No. In the final analysis the negotiations are bilateral
between HMG and the PRC.
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