TNAG-1603-FCO40-2210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-reports-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kon-1987 — Page 249

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compared with 179 questions

session, and held debates on

26.

and 349 supplementaries in the previous

a number of specific policy issues.

Thus the 1985/86 session saw а marked increase in the volume

of business conducted by the Council. It was characterised by

in Guangdong

lively and at time heated debate on important issues such as the

safety of the future nuclear power plant

power plant at Daya Bay

province

development of representative government in the territory.

27

of the People's Republic of China

and

the further

The increasingly vigorous style of Council proceedings and

the tendency for Councillors to air their differences openly, rather

than in closed session, as in the past, has continued into the

1986/87 session.

The debate on the motion of thanks for the

Governor's opening address, during which almost all members spoke,

was dominated by discussion

of the direction which the further

development of Hong Kong's system of representative government

Views were expressed strongly for and against rapid

changes in the present system

The current session has also seen

the Council adopt the practice of holding an adjournment debate at

the close of virtually every sitting

Issues already debated

should take.

include medical services, public housing rental policy care of the

elderly, industrial safety and education.

The 1987 Review

in the 1984 White Paper, the Hong

further review of the progress

be

A White Paper setting out

of

28.

In line with the commitment

Kong Government will undertake a

the development of representative government in 1987. A Green Paper

will be published, following which there will a period of public

consultation.

the Government's

intentions, in the light of public opinion expressed, will then

then be

published. The main issues on which the views of the public will be

sought include whether there should be further changes in the

composition of the Legislative Council, and whether the

Governor

should continue

to be President of the Legislative

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Council.