TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 176

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give due weight to the opinions of the less vocal sections of the

population. It will be critical that the Hong Kong Government's

assessment of opinion should be seen as an objective one.

The Main Issues to be Considered

10.

The 1987 review will have to consider issues "left over"

from the 1984 White Paper (para 7 above) as well as any new issues

that may have arisen.

11.

At present we envisage that the principal issues on which the views of the public are to be sought will be:

(i)

whether there should be further changes in the composition of

the Legislative Council, by introducing a system of direct elections for a proportion of the seats and/or by altering the relative proportion of appointed and elected members:

(ii) whether the Governor should continue to be President of the

Legislative Council.

Subsidiary issues to be considered may include the roles and

relationships of the lower-level bodies: detailed electoral procedures: and a possible lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18.

12.

Where direct elections are concerned, the 1984 White Paper

noted little evidence of support for their

their immediate introduction.

It suggested that a cautious approach might involve introducing a very small number of directly elected members in 1988.

The State of Opinion in Hong Kong on the 1987 Review

13.

a

Our approach to the development of representative government in Hong Kong has throughout been a very cautious one.

We have

sought to build on local institutions and traditions. This approach has been welcomed by the people of Hong Kong. They have shown

consistent preference for gradualism, and a strong concern that social stability should not be endangered. Many continue to fear that too rapid an evolution of representative government could lead

CONFIDENTIAL