TNAG-1721-FCO40-2401-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-delegati-1988 — Page 128

first annex for the Legislature to be constituted by elections"

and that "if the Legislature is to be well established to secure

the type of foundation that he has in mind, it must be developed

and established,

after

proper

consideration,

on a

due

time

scale."

In November 1984, the Assessment Office reported:

"After the most careful analysis and consideration of all the

information received, the Office has concluded that most of the

people of Hong Kong find the draft agreement acceptable."

The Assessment Office Report

4.7

of

clearly

linked

the

There

acceptability of the draft Agreement with direct elections.

Paragraph

the Report stated: "The provision for

legislature of the Hong Kong SAR to be constituted by elections

was hailed by many as 'far-sighted and progressive.'

should be (as the Hong Kong Government plans) a progressive

development of a more representative system with seats filled by

direct election

The new political structure should be

established by the late 80s or early 90s,

as to enable Hong

Kong people to practise self-administration before 1997."

SO

be would

developed

Hong Kong

in

"the

years

the The emphasis by British officials and

public was on speed. Both Sir Geoffrey and Sir Edward had said

representative government

immediately ahead." It is difficult to believe that, in 1984,

the time-frame being visualised for the introduction of direct

elections was any later than 1988.

Confirmation can be found in the White Paper on

representative government which was released in the same month as

the Assessment Office's Report.

The White Paper provided for the

7