TNAG-1727-FCO40-2440-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 233

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Sir, in handling draft bills and other matters, the

Legislative Council is required to solicit and make reference to the views of the people from various sectors with different, working experience and educational background to ensure that the policies adopted are acceptable to the general public. As far as this requirement is concerned, the functional constituencies can fulfil such a role to a certain extent. I am glad that the Government is

going to increase the number of seats elected through functional

constituencies from 12 to 14. One of the additional seats will be

given to an enlarged financial constituency.

This constituency is

to be renamed the 'Finance and Accountancy' constituency so as to

include the accountancy profession. The other additional seat will

be allocated to an enlarged medical constituency which is to be renamed the 'Medical and Health Care' constituency. It will comprise two divisions: one consisting of doctors and dentists and the other of nurses, midwives, pharmacists and five paramedical professions. The gradual expansion of functional constituencies should be encouraged and commended since it not only recognizes and endorses the functions of the groups represented, but also takes note of their importance. Hong Kong being a financial centre, it is indisputable that the political power of the financial sector should be strengthened. The inclusion of the accountancy profession in a functional constituency would certainly help consolidate and raise Hong Kong's status as a financial centre. Furthermore, instead of just providing service to their own clients, this group will be able to undertake more responsibilities for the community and make more contributions to Hong Kong in the areas where assessment of taxation and overall economic development are concerned.

Sir, history is itself an on-going process of progress and politics is a matter of compromise. We must face the reality and take a positive attitude towards the future. By taking a pragmatic and practical approach, the White Paper has depicted clearly the political situation in Hong Kong and presented us a broad guideline as to what course our political reform should follow. What we

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