TNAG-1456-FCO40-1980-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 54

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2

now

is

The differences of opinion voiced in the Legislative Council

on the direction which further political reforms should

should take is

measure of the considerable public interest in these issues which

being focussed on the forthcoming review of representative

government.

The issue attracting the greatest attention, particularly in the media, is whether an element of direct elections to the Legislative Council should be introduced, and, in particular,

whether they should be introduced in 1988. Opinion on the issue is

divided. The Hong Kong Government has not

view on what

taken any view

the outcome of the 1987 review should be. Its aim will be to seek

the widest possible public response, SO as to ensure that it can take full account of all shades of Hong Kong opinion in considering what changes, if any, are required as a result of the review.

30.

Committee

The publicity surrounding the work of the Basic Law Drafting

has stimulated public debate on the question of further

political reform. The Basic Law will not come into force until 1 July 1997. Nevertheless, the importance of achieving compatibility

structure of government as it continues to evolve up to

1997 and the structure of the future Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region Government after 1997, is widely understood by

the community.

between the

VI.

CIVIL SERVICE

Localisation

31.

in

Although there has been mo major change in

in the Hong Kong

Government's Localisation policy in the past two decades, the

of practice

giving suitable Local candidates preference appointment to recruitment ranks has continued to bear fruit as some

of these

these officers have acquired experience and have been promoted through the ranks. In the senior management/professional grades,

Local officers

hold now

over 70% of the 1,500 posts whilst

directorate (ie most senior) ranks, the proportion has reached 50% of the 940 positions. The Hong Kong Government is confident that

the

the

enable continued application of

current policy will

top

posts to be filled by Local officers

Local officers in the years before 1997, in

in

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