TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 41

INTEGRITY OF THE SURVEY

I am, frankly, dismayed by the attacks which have

been made on the integrity and methodology of the

Survey Office proceedings by those who disagree

with its findings. The public opinion survey in

question was conducted by a highly reputable and

professional company. Even if it were true that

there was a technical flaw in the survey and that

-

is itself disputed at the technical level the

survey is only a very small part of the evidence

used by the Survey Office. To give one

example, an extensive analysis of debates and

meetings of the Legislative, Urban and Regional

Councils and the District Boards strongly

supports the finding that opinion on the

advisability of introducing Direct Elections

in 1988 was sharply divided.