TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 25

"DEMOCRACY DELEGATION'S" GREEN PAPER

Mr Lee's delegation asserts that the Hong Kong public

overwhelmingly favour the introduction of direct

elections in 1988; that Britain effectively promised

to do so; that China has pressured Britain to delay;

and that HK is undergoing a confidence crisis.

I have already dealt with most of these points; the

results of the review will be announced very soon.

The Review was a genuine one.

The Survey Office has given appropriate weight to

the responses from all sections of the community.

I have every confidence in the meticulous way in

which they went about their job. Their report

does not support Mr Lee's claims about the state

of public opinion. It found HK opinion sharply

divided on the timing of the introduction of direct

This finding is consistent with what has

emerged in debate and discussion at every level in HK

from the Legislative Council downwards.

elections.

Most strongly reject allegations of "broken promises".

Mr Lee unable to quote any commitment to introduce

/direct