TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 65

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

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effect on the territory.

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

Local attitudes were no doubt

also influenced by the feeling that China would be

opposed to the introduction of an elected system; and by

the desire not to upset the delicate balance which

permitted Hong Kong to continue to exist as an enclave on

the coast of China.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

30.

For all these reasons, there were considerable

reservations within the community as a whole about the

idea of election-based representative government.

Instead the Hong Kong Government sought consensus through

an extensive network of consultation boards and

committees (now over 400), which enable members of the

public to give their advice on all areas of government

activity. This system served Hong Kong very well for many

years. But as the population became increasingly settled

and sophisticated,

care was taken to 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.

дар. (31). The

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