TNAG-1601-FCO40-2194-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 4

PM/88/01

PRIME MINISTER

SECRET

Redacted under FOI exemption section 27 (1)

&

Hong Kong: Representative Government

1. The Hong Kong Government's White Paper on representative government is due to be published in February. The text on the introduction of a directly elected element into the Legislative Council now needs to be finalised.

2.

As you know, the recent Review of representative government in Hong Kong showed substantial support for the principle of direct elections. But on timing opinions are divided. No clear majority trend in favour of direct

elections in 1988 has emerged.

4.

The Hong Kong Government have sent us drafts of the key chapters in the White Paper on direct elections and the way forward. These drafts, which have been discussed with officials here, are attached. They embody the decision

that an element of direct elections to the Legislative

/Council

SECRET