TNAG-1716-FCO40-2396-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 199

SECRET

111712

MDHIAN 2142

CONSTITUENCIES.

50. MANY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FAVOURED AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. A CLEAR MAJORITY OF SUBMISSIONS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE HOWEVER, DID NOT FAVOUR CHANGING EITHER THE NUMBER OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES OR THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ELECTED BY EACH CONSTITUENCY.

51. THE GREEN PAPER RAISED, AS AN ISSUE FOR DISCUSSION IN THE LONGER TERM, A SUGGESTION THAT A PROPORTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT IN FUTURE BE ELECTED BY A NEW, BROADLY-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE. FEW SUBMISSIONS COMMENTED ON THIS CONCEPT. HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS COMMISSIONED BY THE SURVEY OFFICE SHOWED THAT THERE WAS SOME INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY IN CONSIDERING THE IDEA FURTHER.

OFFICIAL AND APPONTED MEMBERS

52.

?

IT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE EVOLUTION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT GRADUALLY TO REDUCE THE PROPORTION IF NOT THE NUMBER, OF APPOINTED MEMBERS, INCLUDING APPOINTED OFFICIAL MEMBERS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WILL IN ANY CASE HAVE TO CEASE BY 1997, BECAUSE OF THE STIPULATION IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS. NEVER- THELESS THERE IS A STRONG ARGUMENT AGAINST MOVING TOO QUICKLY IN THIS DIRECTION. THE INTRODUCTION OF 24 ELECTED MEMBERS IN 1985, OUT OF A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 56, WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. ANY FURTHER CHANGES IN THE BALANCE BETWEEN APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY MEASURED.

53.

"

THE TEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INTRODUCING GOVERNMENT BUSINESS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, EXPLAINING GOVERNMENT POLICY AND ANSWERING OTHER MEMBERS QUESTIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED TO FULFIL THESE FUNCTIONS UNTIL THE RELEVANT LONGER-TERM CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN SETTLED. THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS WAS REDUCED IN 1985 FROM 18 TO TEN. AS A RESULT, OFFICIAL MEMBERS NOW HAVE TO HANDLE SOME MATTERS IN THE COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF COLLEAGUES WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THIS SYSTEM IS NOT IDEAL. THERE IS A GOOD ARGUMENT FOR HAVING THE OFFICIAL DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH ITEM OF BUSINESS PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL TO HANDLE IT. THIS WOULD MEAN EITHER INCREASING THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS AGAIN, WHICH WOULD CLEARLY BE A