TNAG-1330-FCO40-1757-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 100

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3.11

(c) Functional constituencies

ng

Comments on the concept of electin Legislative Councillors by way of their affiliation to selected trades and professions or, in the words of the Green Paper, through functional constituencies, were diverse. Organisations and individuals supporting the proposal considered it an acceptable way of preserving the specialist

knowledge of the professionals and learned members of the community in Hong Kong and would also ensure a balanced representation to allow a steady and progressive development of the existing system.

3.12

Even among the supporters which included professional bodies and members of the

representative organisations, there were, however, some reservations :-

3.13

(a) the term "functional

constituency" was not adequately defined in the Green Paper nor was there clear indication of the groups/organisations that might qualify as such;

(b) the number of seats suggested in the Green Paper was too small to accommodate the large number of occupations/professions that would have equal claim in being designated as one of the constituencies; and

(c)

complexities involved in the

election process, might render

the implementation of the

proposal difficult.

There was as much opposition, particularly from the elected members of representative bodies and interest groups, as there was support. People who objected to the proposal advanced the following points :-

CONFIDENTIAL