TNAG-1719-FCO40-2399-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 44

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the idealists' fervour and tenacity although I disagree with

I also believe they have their approach and their conclusions.

ultimately more to contribute to the discussions than, say, some British members of Parliament or the international media who so sanctimoniously but often in blissful ignorance of the real facts admonish Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Government.

Sir, I have little difficulty with the proposals in the White Paper for the maintenance of the three-tier government structure and the strengthening of the advisory role

I am conscious of the arguments of the District Boards. against the increase in the size of the Urban Council and the future inclusion in its ranks of elected DB representatives but I had previously endorsed your on balance support these plans. continued presence, Sir, as President of the Council although I believe that in accordance with the terms of the Joint Declaration this position will need to be filled by a Speaker

I see no elected from among Council Members latest by 1997. reason to object to the retention of the voting age at 21 years although I had suggested the possible reduction to 18. continue to be in favour of the preferential elimination voting system for functional constituency and electoral college elections, and of the other administrative proposals contained in the White Paper for legislative and municipal council elections. I would have liked to see a somewhat greater expansion of the functional constituency system in 1988, if only by the widening of the constituent membership in existing ones beyond the accountants, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and physiotherapists.

I

Where I do part company with the White Paper in questioning the practicability of its recommendations is on the overall composition of the Legislative Council, and on the total lack of any indication or direction as to how the new system will work or how it will progress beyond 1991. confronting the White Paper on this point I feel like Alice in

In