TNAG-1597-FCO40-2182-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 57

SECRET

19

Municipal Council constituencies,

in order to ensure

that the important

important areas of executive responsibility,

undertaken by the Urban and Regional Councils remain

directly represented in the Council. They are examined

more fully in the subsequent sections of this chapter.

Direct Elections

34.

The 1984 White Paper noted that there was

little evidence of support, in public comment on the

Green Paper, for direct elections (that is, elections on

a basis of universal franchise directly to seats in the

Legislative Council), in the immediate future. The

bulk of public response suggested a cautious approach

with a gradual start by introducing a very small number

of directly elected members in 1988.

35.

the

momentum.

Since publication of the 1984 White Paper

debate on whether direct elections to the

Legislative Council should be introduced, has gained

At the time of drafting this Green Paper

strong opinions continue to be expressed for and

against direct elections although it is clear that a

substantial part of the community ("the silent

majority") has not expressed an opinion on the issueso

far.

SECRET