46.
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0443 MDHIAN 0055
NEXT DB ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN 1988. MEMBERS OF THE UC WHO ARE NOW EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF DBS MAY WISH TO CONTINUE AS DB MEMBERS AFTER 1989. IF THE PROPOSAL THAT THEIR EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP SHOULD CEASE IN 1989 IS NOT ANNOUNCED UNTIL THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER, THEY WILL HAVE MISSED THE OPPORUNITY TO CONTEST THE 1988 DB ELECTIONS AND OBTAIN A SEAT ON A DB IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. THIS WOULD GIVE RISE TO LEGITIMATE
COMPLAINTS.
7. HKG WILL IN ANY CASE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE SHORTLY THE NUMBERS OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED MEMBERS FOR EACH DB FOR THE TERM BEGINNING 1 APRIL 1988. AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY TO STATE THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION ON THE ISSUE OF THE RATIO OF ELECTED MEMBERS TO APPOINTED MEMBERS ON DBS. THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED IN THE GREEN PAPER. THE HKG HAS NOW DECIDED TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT RATIO OF APPROXIMATELY 2:1.
8. THE HKG THEREFORE INTEND TO ANNOUNCE NUMBERS OF DB SEATS AND THE RATIO OF ELECTED TO APPOINTED MEMBERS, ON 17 DECEMBER. THEY ALSO INTEND TO ANNOUNCE AT THE SAME TIME THAT UC MEMBERS WILL CEASE TO BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF DBS AS FROM 1989, AND THAT THE EXISTING REQUIREMENTS THAT A UC MEMBER SHOULD GIVE UP HIS UC SEAT UPON ELECTION TO A DB (AND VICE VERSA) WILL BE DROPPED. IN VIEW OF HOLIDAYS ETC. AND NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE REASONABLE NOTICE THIS WOULD BE LATEST POSSIBLE DATE FOR ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE NOMINATIONS FOR 1988 DB ELECTION ARE OPENED ON 8 JANUARY NEXT YEAR. THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL IN NOW WAY TOUCH ON QUESTION OF COMPOSITION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR ON THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
25
MAIN
24
HONG KONG AGREEMENT RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH (FE)
DEP HD/PUSD
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
MR MCLAREN
MR GILLMORE
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