TNAG-1440-FCO40-1924-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 73

SECRET

PAPER NO. 2

HONG KONG OPINION ON THE 1987 REVIEW

OF DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

Her Majesty's Government have given a commitment to the United Kingdom Parliament that there will be a Review in 1987 of the present system of representative government in Hong Kong.

2

(a)

(b)

This paper sets out:

the issues which, in accordance with the White Paper of 1984, are to be covered in the 1987 Review;

an

assessment of the present state of opinion in Hong Kong on those issues.

The paper is not intended as

definitive statement of the present state of opinion in Hong Kong on these issues

issues and should not

not be SO construed. The paper does not seek to forecast the weight of opinion which may be in favour of various courses of action in 1987. Public discussion on these issues will of course continue

continue in the Territory and opinions may change by the time the Green Paper (a consultative document) is published (probably during the Spring of 1987) and subsequently in the light of the Green Paper itself.

Basis and scope of the Review

3

The basis for the 1987 Review is the conclusions of the 1984 White Paper. The following items are

therein recorded as carried forward for the 1987 Review:

the

(a) .a review to assess

in progress made development of representative government; (Paragraph 46(h))

(b) the position of the Governor as President of

the Legislative Council; (Paragraph 46(k))

(c)

the

Legislative

Council:

consideration to be given to elections. (paragraph 46(h))

further

direct

G.F. 316

SECRET Z