TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 25

ensure that the system evolved in a way which met the requirements and aspirations of Hong Kong people, while maintaining stability, effective administration and economic prosperity.

31.

The introduction of elected representatives into the institutions of government began in effect in the early 1970s, when direct elections on a limited franchise were introduced for half the membership of the Urban Council (the statutory council with responsibilities for the provision of municipal services to inhabitants of the main urban areas of Hong Kong). In 1982 District

Boards were established on a territory-wide base to serve as a forum for public consultation and participation in administration at the district level. In 1986 the Regional Council was established as the statutory authority with responsibility for the area outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. Elections to the Urban Council (since 1981), Regional Council and District Boards now take place on a geographical constituency basis, with a broad franchise embracing all residents who are 21 years of age or over and have lived in Hong

Kong for 7 years or more.

32. The development of a more representative form of government at the central level also began in the 1970s, with the expansion of the Legislative Council to include more members who are not officials. Such members formed a majority of the Council for the first time in 1976, and by 1984 they constituted 62.5% of the membership (ie 29 out of the then total of 47 members). But there were no elected members of the Legislative Council when the Joint Declaration was signed: all were appointed. Following public consultation on the basis of a Green Paper published in July 1984, the Hong Kong Government announced in their White Paper of November 1984 that an indirectly elected element would be introduced into the Legislative Council as from October 1985. 12 members of the enlarged Council of 56 were duly elected from 'functional' constituencies based on major professional and occupational groups; 12 others were elected on a geographical basis by an electoral college comprising all members of

The other 32 the Urban and Regional Councils and District Boards. members of the Legislative Council were either officials (10) or appointed members (22).