TNAG-1320-FCO40-1726-Future-of-Hong-Kong-assessment-of-public-opinion-1984 — Page 21

4

NOX IS

QUESTION NO. 12

8

QUESTION BY THE HON. ANDREW SO, OBE, JP. AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1984

Gang

la

pse

Public Opinion

How does Government monitor and assess public opinion?

AFF

241

HKK0401.3

1984

„GISTRY

Token

REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

Sir,

This is a very difficult question

to answer comprehensively, partly because the government" is such a large organisation and partly because its officers are so inextricably involved with one part or another of the public

in their day to day work.

2.

In order to attempt to provide an

answer we have listed some sixteen channels commonly

used by people to convey or express views which are picked up by one part of the government or another

as follows :

(i) The UMELCO Office;

(ii) The 15 Urban Council Wards;

(iii) the 18 District Boards,

(iv) Over 300 government advisory

boards and committees;

(v)

Direct petitions by individuals or

organisations to the Governor or

(vi)

other government officials;

Commissions of enquiry or review

bodies;

(vii) Public statements made by various

groups;

/ (viii)