TNAG-1288-FCO40-1639-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 15

58

be

of

Some additional staff will

needed for the Registration and Electoral Division

the Government Secretariat in 1985. These requirements are being worked out and the necessary provision will be sought in the usual way as soon as possible.

59

If the proposal that

that the Unofficial members of the Legislative Council be remunerated is approved, it will be necessary to seek appropriate provision for the 1985/86 financial year.

PUBLICITY

60

If Members advise that the White Paper should be drafted on the basis of the proposals outlined in this memorandum, it is intended to submit the draft White Paper to them for consideration on 13 November. Subject to Members' advice the White Paper will then be printed for publication and will be tabled in the Legislative Council on 21 November for

debate on 5 December.

61

It is intended

to print initially 150,000

150,000 copies (100,000 Chinese, 50,000 English) of the White Paper for distribution to the public through District Offices and the Government Publication Centre. More copies will be printed if this number proves to be insufficient to meet public demand.

62

The contents of the White Paper

the White Paper will be publicised widely through the media in the usual way and will be explained by government officials through as many channels as possible.

63

Special arrangements will be made to brief members of the Urban Council, the Heung Yee Kuk and the District Boards.

PUBLIC REACTION

64

Vocal pressure group leaders and other individuals who have been critical of the proposals in the Green Paper and have called for the early introduction of direct elections will no doubt express dissatisfaction with the White Paper. But the much larger number of people who have supported the gradual and progressive nature of the proposals and who have recognised the need to maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity will most probably be

be satisfied with the White Paper, particularly in view of the modifications which have been made to some of the original proposals in the Green Paper, in the light of public comments on them.