TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 92

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and their geographical spread will be minimal. The expenses which candidates in these constituencies will need to incur on electioneering will accordingly be relatively small and it is felt for this reason that the ceiling on their expenses should be cast at the lower level of $10,000.

On a per capita basis, these proposed ceilings would allow an average expenditure of $2.86 per elector in the case of the functional constituencies, as compared to an average of $2.28 per elector in the District Board constituencies. In the electoral college constituencies, however, the proposed ceiling of $10,000 would produce the very much higher per capita figure of $277 per elector, and further consideration is being given as to whether this ceiling should not be substantially reduced. The problem is essentially one of striking a ceiling which is realistic but which is yet not seen to be derisory.

adjourned.

Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be