TNAG-1446-FCO40-1930-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 46

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The objectives of the Survey Office

8.

There are two principal objectives:

a) to obtain a wide public response to the

issues discussed in the Green Paper; and

b)

to report impartially and accurately the

submissions received and the views expressed on

į

the issues discussed in the Green Paper.

9.

Great care was taken in the 1984 assessment of

public response to the draft Sino-British Agreement to

maintain the impartiality and credibility of the

Assessment Office by ensuring that it did not appear in

any way to be influencing public opinion. The Government

was responsible for publishing the draft Agreement,

publicising it and explaining it to the public. The

Assessment Office described its approach towards receiving

views on the draft Agreement as "essentially passive".

10.

It is vital in the 1987 Review that public

opinion be expressed as fully as possible, and in

particular that the views of the "silent majority" are

elicited. The question of direct elections has already

produced groups with totally opposed opinions. Both

these groups will be suspicious of the Government's

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