TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 216

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FIDENHAL

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誠

a

Conclusion

Hong Kong legislators are participants in a unique system of Government by consensus.

This system was aptly described by the Secretary for Home Affairs in an address to the Hong Kong Management Association in

1975.-

"The Hong Kong Government proceeds by consensus rather than

A Government

debate

newly-elected on the basis of a political programme can ride roughshod over even quite substantial minorities; this we would not and cannot

here.

Consensus

implies consultation, negotiation and compromise on a

do

possibly immoire / scale that would be unacceptable to a

returned to power by an election

quotatur to offer the Chrisere?

party (these)

all require participation by the public and on its side the Government has to be amenable to public opinion.

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Thus, in Hong Kong there is no less political argument, no fewer differences of opinion, no less pressure from interested groups, than elsewhere in the. world. The difference is that in Hong Kong the Government and the Legislative Council seek to reconcile differing opinions, on whatever subject, through a process of patient consultation which aims to achieve the most rational and pragmatic result.

Councils Division Government Secretariat Hong Kong

May 1986

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