TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 214

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community could direct themselves to an appropriate alternative

locus of authority within the Government structure such

destabilising and divisive effects could be lessened.

10.

Option (B) would meet the need to converge with the post-1997

structure. It would indicate to the Hong Kong people in advance the way in which the transition would be handled. It would reduce

apprehension. In particular it would enable the important middle

and managerial classes to understand what the changes in government

would mean and how such changes might affect them.

11. The creation of a post of Deputy Governor would provide time

and a focus for the constitutional and legislative changes which

must be made in order to provide for the transition. It would

accustom members of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council

and the government service, first to the existence of the post and

subsequently to the person of the Chief Executive (Designate) before the transition of government took place. It would give the Chief Executive (Designate) time to understand the processes of governing

and to establish his authority. There is also likely to be an

increasing need in the more political atmosphere of the 1990s for someone to take a lead in presenting government policies in the

Legislative Council and more generally in the public area.

Governor will not be able to perform this role.

The

We

12.

In principle the advantages of option (B) are clear-cut.

need however to consider carefully the implications for our

relationship with China and the balance of influence over Hong Kong.

The Chinese Dimension

13. The introduction of a Chief Executive (Designate) some years before 1997 would be achieved successfully only in agreement with

the Chinese Government. We would need to explain to them how we envisaged that the post would fit within the Hong Kong Government

structure, how the incumbent would be selected and how powers would

be progressively delegated to him. These modifications to the Hong

Kong Government structure would without doubt be "matters relating to the smooth transfer of government" on which the two sides are

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