called upon the Government, Members of the Councils and others in public life to provide the necessary leadership in securing the well-being of all sectors of the community.
Mr Peter C WONG pointed out that in the further development of representative government, one should not lose sight of the fact that Hong Kong would ultimately be under the authority of China. Public consultation should continue before the 1987 review and the implementation of the proposals in the White Paper had to be closely monitored and carefully coordinated. He added that the people of Hong Kong had to be positively involved not only in civic affairs, but also in all matters concerning the future of Hong Kong.
Mr WONG Lam echoed the views of other Members in supporting a gradual approach in political reform. He said that the disadvantages of introducing direct election abruptly to LegCo far outweighed the advantages. However, in the long run, direct elections should become a matter of course. He questioned the arbitrariness in the division of the electoral college constituencies and he criticised the White Paper for not addressing some basic issues like how LegCo could be better empowered to monitor the administration of Hong Kong and the relation between LegCo and ExCo.
Dr HO Kam-fai endorsed the principle of a cautious and step by step approach towards political reform. He considered that the oath of allegiance to the Queen should be replaced by the oath of allegiance to the Government and the people of Hong Kong and that members of CPPCC should not be barred from being Members of District Boards and LegCo. He pointed out that the 1987 review should map out a programme of reforms to the end of the century; phase out functional constituencies all together; and introduce direct
elections to LegCo based on universal suffrage.
Whilst supporting the idea of a ministerial system, Mr Allen LEE called upon the Government to resist pressure on Hong Kong to adopt the Westminster style of democracy at this stage. Together with Mr F K HU, Mr Stephen CHEONG and Mr YEUNG Po-kwan, he favoured close liaison with the Chinese Government with the aim of establishing a credible government in the mutual interest of
China and Hong Kong and to facilitate a smooth transition in the run-up to 1997.
Mr Andrew SO concurred that the programme, methods of implementation and pace of development suggested in the White Paper were suitable to the present circumstances in Hong Kong. He said that the main objective of developing a representative political system in Hong Kong was to hand over progressively the power of administration from the present colonial government to elected representatives chosen by the Hong Kong people.
Mr F K HU observed that a truly representative government should be established two to three years before 1997. He added that LegCo should be empowered to decide on policies and the Administration should implement them accordingly. Direct elections should be introduced at a later stage and the appointment system could be phased out and replaced by more open consultative procedures. He further proposed that on top of the review in 1987, the system should also be evaluated in 1990 and 1993 before the 1991 and 1994 elections with a view to achieving a fully representative government in 1994.
Mr WONG Po-yan fully agreed with the need for promoting civic education. He said that the key to success of Hong Kong depended on whether elected members would properly look after the interests of the community as a whole and, where required, put the long-term interests of their sectors above immediate benefits.
Mr W CL Brown said that any over concentration of power in the hands of the central Government had to be avoided. He added that future elected members of LegCo should see to it that the hopes and aspirations of the community were properly reflected in the policies adopted by LegCo. He also mentioned that the further development of representative government was the only way to lay the foundations of the post-1997 era and to ensure a smooth handover of the administration in that year.
Mr K C CHAN pointed out that the appointment system and functional constituencies could safeguard a good spread of expertise in LegCo. He said that legislation should be enacted to make registration and voting compulsory and annual review of the progress of political reform would be a
prudent move. If a ministerial system was adopted, future ministers should only come from the elected members and not from the appointed unofficials.
Mr J J Swaine subscribed to the aim of measured progress and that the system of government should be firmly rooted in Hong Kong and should preserve the best features of existing institutions. He urged that people should protect the rights and liberties they enjoyed under the present system and should not yield to pressure or be seduced by hope of gain. He further pointed out that legislators should be devoted to the interests of Hong Kong and should be prepared and be able to carry out their duties without fear or favour.
Mr Stephen CHEONG raised doubts on whether the future stability and prosperity of the territory could be maintained simply by having a totally directly elected legislature before 1997. He said that the suitability of a Westminster style democracy in Hong Kong had yet to be proven and people should adopt a realistic and pragmatic attitude in the quest for solutions to future problems.
Mr CHEUNG Yan-lung reiterated the point that elected LegCo Members should speak and act not only in the interest of their respective constituencies but of the people of Hong Kong. He argued that the Heung Yee Kuk should be given a seat in LegCo as a separate constituency in the electoral college and suggested that the Kowloon Chamber of Commerce, the New Territories Chamber of Commerce, professions like accountants, nurses and workers in the tourist trade should be included in the list of functional constituencies. Mrs Selina CHOW criticised the White Paper for failing to give a complete view of the overall thinking to the progression and destination of governmental development. She added that a number of key issues such as changes to the Executive Council, the ultimate form of election, the possibility of a ministerial system and the fate of the appointment system, etc were left unanswered. She called for the establishment of a standing forum of LegCo Members to work out an acceptable system within the provisions of the Joint Declaration. She said she would abstain from voting and urged that immediate action be taken to formulate an overall plan.
4
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.