TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 111

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The 1984 White Paper created a general expectation that an element

of direct elections could be introduced in 1988. Not to do so now

would appear to be a retrograde step.

The White Paper undertook only that the position would be reviewed in 1987. That review left all options open, including the

possibility of direct elections in 1988. But this was only one of

the possible options. Much has happened since the 1984 White Paper:

the Joint Declaration has been signed and the Basic Law for post

1997 Hong Kong is being drafted and is due to be promulgated in

1990. It is only natural that these developments should have affected the way people in Hong Kong think about direct elections.

The Review was biased against direct elections in 1988. The majority of the people of Hong Kong want direct elections in 1988.

The British Government have complete confidence in the conduct

of the Review by the Hong Kong Government and the independent Survey Office. Independent monitors have confirmed that the Survey Office fulfilled its task properly and impartially. The Review was a

genuine one.

The Survey Office report has given appropriate weight

to the responses from all sections of its community. I believe

its findings are a fair reflection of public opinion. It has shown

that on most issues raised in the Review there is a large measurement of agreement; but on the timing of the introduction of direct elections opinions seem to be sharply divided. This finding

is consistent with what has emerged in debate and discussion at

every level in Hong Kong, from the Legislative Council downwards.

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