TNAG-1750-FCO40-2470-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 76

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Legislative Council from among their own

number" and

that further considerations should be given to the setting up of a ministerial system.

The 1984 White Paper did

recommendations

on

either

of

not contain

the

two

any matters

addressed

pertaining to changes to the Executive Council but

subject will be promised that "the whole further at а later stage."

During the Legislative Council debate on the White Chief Secretary, Paper on 9th January 1985, the then Sir Philip Haddon-Cave promised that the 1987 review would consider at least 4 questions, one

in possible developments and the method of selection Council

"the

being composition

Executive

ministerial system".

including

the

s om e

of them

powers, of the form of

by the

Sir Philip Haddon-Cave's promi se was not kept

Kong Government in Hong

the 1987 Green Paper, without giving any explanation.

a press

in conference

Hong

Kong

on

19th

Minister of

During September 1987, Lord Glenarthur, the new State with special responsibility for Hong Kong, was asked why the issue of setting up a ministerial

had be en omitted in

system Lord Glenarthur's answer was:

"Well, I

the 1987 Green Paper.

not am

sure that really useful to concentrate much on history in all this

it is

too

to

the

As to the Legislative Council, the 1984 White Paper concluded that elections should be introduced Legislative Council in 1985 consisting of two types of elections: Electoral Colleges and Functional Constituencies;

reported that "the bulk of

suggested

but

public response from cautious approach

all

sources

a

with a gradual start by introduing directly elected members in

significant

a very small number of 1988 and building up to a directly elected members in 1997".

Kong

to

number of

believe

The people of Hong

were thus 1 ed that after the introduction of indirect elections to the Legislative Council in September

1985, the next step would be to introduce partial direct elections in 1988 and that the number of directly elected seats would increase steadily towards 1997.

Recent events have, however, driven us to believe that the British Administration in Hong Kong is not going to meet its commitment of introducing direct very strong

elections in 1988 because of the objections

the Chinese Government.

ד

from

L L

If this

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