TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 118

12.

elections to the Legislative Council in July 1985,

the sooner we can reach a firm decision on the proposals

in the Green Paper, the better. In any case, the

volume of public comment which has already been

forthcoming, some of which was reflected this

afternoon by Miss Tam and Mrs. Fan, clearly demonstrates

that the people of Hong Kong do not need very long to

voice their opinions on important matters of this sort.

I am confident that by mid-September we shall have

obtained a very clear idea of the views of the majority

of the population on the proposals.

17. I can assure Members that all these views and, of

course, the views they have expressed this afternoon,

will be considered most carefully and will be taken

into account in the preparation of the White Paper,

which, in its turn, will be placed before this Council

for debate later this year.

CONCLUSION

18. Sir, I certainly believe that the proposals in the

Green Paper on the Further Development of Representative

Government in Hong Kong can be commended to the public

for examination and comment and have, therefore, much

pleasure in supporting the Motion.