dti
the department for Enterprise
2
HMG recognise that the decision not to hold direct elections in 1988 will come as a disappointment to some people in Hong Kong. But many others will take the view that we are proceeding at a sensible pace, in accordance with the interests of the community as a whole. We believe that the decisions in the White Paper represent a balanced and reasonable response to the views expressed by the people of Hong Kong and their representatives.
Your letter refers to promises made by Her Majesty's Government that direct elections would be introduced in 1988. No such promises were made at any stage. In considering this issue the British and Hong Kong Governments have taken care to consult the people of Hong Kong at every stage. This was the purpose of the review which took place in 1984. It was also the purpose of the current review. The carries out the commitments made in the 1984 White Paper, which recorded the state of public opinion in Hong Kong in 1984 on the subject of direct elections to the Legislative Council, and stated that the issue would be further considered in a review to take place in 1987.
Yours sincerely
Howard Tracy
H J Tracy Room 309
Overseas Trade Division 2/3
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