TNAG-1284-FCO40-1636-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 294

袋

methods of appointment of LEGCO and EXCO should remain basically unchanged from 1997 onwards. They can legitimately argue that they cannot be expected to give such confirmation in a binding agreement without knowing what we expect to

leave behind on that date. Another reason for an urgent

decision is that as we get nearer to an agreement and to a

ministerial statement revealing the general form of that

agreement, we must expect strong pressure in Hong Kong and

in Parliament to reveal our constitutional plans.

4.

The Governor's recommendations are set out in the attached

draft memorandum for the Executive Council. Essentially his

proposals are as follows:

(a)

gradual replacement of appointed Unofficial members

on the Legislative Council by members elected indirectly

both by an electoral college of Regional Council and District Board members and by functional groups. At

the same time the number of Official members on the

Legislative Council will be reduced;

(b) the replacement of the Governor as President of the

Legislative Council by a speaker elected by the

Unofficial members of the Legislative Council from

among their number;

(c)

(d)

the progressive replacement of the majority of the

appointed Unofficial members of the Legislative Council

from among their own number;

at a later stage appointment to the post of Governor

to follow the process of consultation in Hong Kong,

confirmed by some form of election from an electoral

college.

SECRET

=

/Only