TNAG-1718-FCO40-2398-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 83

ARPAEX (2)

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DEFENSIVE POINTS

A.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

HMG backtracking on direct elections?/Already promised direct elections in 1988/1984 White Paper committed HMG to this?

No truth in this suggestion. [Regret that B so seriously misrepresented piston in some quarters.

1984 White Paper made no commitment to introduce direct elections in 1988. Merely noted state of opinion at the time (that suggested a small number of direct elected seats might be introduced in 1988). White Paper undertook to review position in 1987: that undertaking

was carried out in full.

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Have never prescribed precise model or timetable for introductio of direct elections: that would have been to prejudge issue, make nonsense of public consultation process.

Commitment to development of representative government as strong

as ever.

But believe changes should be gradual, command widest possible consensus of support.

1984 White Paper and subsequent Ministerial statements created an

expectation that there would be direct elections in 1988?

White Paper undertook only that position would be reviewed in

1987.

That review left all options open, including possibility of direct elections in 1988.

But much has happened since 1984. Joint Declaration has been signed; Basic Law is being drafted. Only natural that this should affect people's thinking about direct elections.

Review was biased?

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Review was genuine: conducted in a scrupulously fair and objective way.

Believe findings were a fair reflection of public opinion as a

whole.

Finding that on timing of introduction of direct elections opinion is sharply divided is entirely consistent with what has

emerged in debate and discussion at all levels and in all fora in Hong Kong.

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