TNAG-1717-FCO40-2397-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 45

G.F. 316

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but the public opinion surveys

commissioned by the

Survey Office showed that

there

was

some interest

the community in considering the idea further.

in

Official and Appointed Members

38.

It

would

be

in line with

the evolution of

reduce the

representative government gradually to

if not the number of Appointed Members,

Members, in the Official appointed

proportion,

including

Legislative Council.

any

case

have

to

cease

the

appointment system will in

because of by 1997,

stipulation in the Sino-British Joint Declaration that

the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative

Region will be constituted by elections.

Nevertheless

there is strong argument against moving too quickly

in this

this direction.

The

out of

introduction of 24 Elected

total membership of a

56,

in 1985, Members

marked a significant change in the overall composition

of the Council. The effect of

would need to be carefully measured.

any

further changes

39.

The

ten Official Members

three ex-officio

and seven appointed 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

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