TNAG-1288-FCO40-1639-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 34

Chapter I

2 -

Draft White Paper on

The Further Development of Representative

Government in Hong Kong

The Green Paper

The Introduction

of

On 18 July 1984, the Government published a Green Paper entitled "The Further Development

Representative Government in Hong Kong" and invited public comment on the proposals put forward in it.

2

The aims of the proposals were

(a)

(b)

(c)

to develop progressively a system of government the authority for which is firmly rooted in Hong Kong, which is able to represent authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong, and which is more directly accountable to the people of Hong Kong;

Our existing

to build this system on institutions, which have served Hong Kong well, and, as far as possible, to preserve their best features, including the maintenance of the well established practice of

government by consensus; and

to allow for further development if that should be the wish of the community.

Public Response to the Green Paper

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The Government received and recorded comments from a wide range of sources during the two-month period allowed for public consultation on the Green Paper proposals. In addition to over 360 written submissions to the Government Secretariat from various organisations, groups and individuals, extensive consultation was carried on through the District Offices. Many meetings and public discussions were attended by

by Government officers, several surveys of public opinion were carried out by both Government and private bodies, and an

and an assessment was made of views expressed extensively in the media. Comments were received from many members of District Boards, Area Committees and Mutual Aid Committees. Urban Councillors expressed their views in an open debate on 4 and 6 September 1984, which was followed up by a Resolution from the Standing Committee of the Whole Council on 27 September 1984, and Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council commented on the proposals during the debate in the Legislative Council on 2 August 1984.