TNAG-1321-FCO40-1727-Future-of-Hong-Kong-opinion-polls-and-surveys-1984 — Page 266

QUESTION NO. 12

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

How does Government monitor and assess public opinion?

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

(vi)

organisations to the Governor or

other government officials;

Commissions of enquiry or review

bodies;

(vii) Public statements made by various

groups;

/ (viii)