TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 13

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SHA Mr Denis Bay (7.6) defended the much criticised

proposal of indirect elections to Legco by functional constituencies on KTKK's Open Line. He asid the government had much work to operate An election through professional constituencies and he was convinced that the system was workable. Mr Bray fielded questions from seven callera including Mr Henry Litton (C and Dr L.K.Ding ·

Commenting on the Open Line session, the Standard said

editorially (8.8) it would be interested to hear some response to the observation that the government's definition of functional constituencies appeared flexible enough to embrace some 50 to 100 interest groups, societies and associations. Some thought, it said, would have to be given to the fact that many of these bodies admit companies, or other corporate entities, as members. And as Hanty Litton had pointed out, not all of these entities were authorised by their constitutions or articles of association to participate in

politics.

that

Visiting Labour MP Dr Jeremy Amy (7.8) maintained political parties should play a role in HK's democratic reform. He thought the fear that party politice would lead to confrontation and instability was outdated. Dr Bray s critical of the Green Paper and

its slow pace towerde reform. He favoured early direct elections to Legco and he added that Unofficial members should be given an

executive role is the goverment as soon as possible.

The Reform Club (8.8) criticised the government's proposals on

indirect elections as unrealistic. It likened the Paper to a looking glass world where almost everything was back to front. The club's

chairman Brook Barmechi said at a press conference that

indirect elections had never proved successful anywhere in the

world.

Pro-Chins lawyer Dorothy Lin told a Rotary Club luncheon

(8.8) that the hasty latroduction of the Green Paper would hinder the

ay to self administration. She said it would be the responsibility

of the Chinese Government after reclaiming sovereignty to remove