TNAG-1852-FCO40-2627-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 136

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3.10

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The Committee believes that full democracy, ie 100% directly elected seats, should be introduced before 1997:

Now clear consensus that the proposals for 1991 in 1988 White Paper do not go far enough. But no real consensus how far to go both in 1991 and in 1997. 100% direct elections does not appear to have widespread support. HMG must be guided by Hong Kong opinion.

Notwithstanding the above, the Committee believes more strongly that Hong Kong people must be allowed to decide on their own system of

government before 1997 as well as after 1997:

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Agree full account should be taken of views of people in Hong

Kong.

3.12, A Green Paper should be published on wide range of issues relating

to the electoral law. Results to be incorporated into law for 1991

elections:

Needs to be considered with Hong Kong Government. One issue to be addressed would be the number of functional consistency seats,

which the FAC do not favour, in 1991. Otherwise the purpose of such

a Green Paper is not clear.

A consequence of full direct elections to LegCo in 1997 will be the 3.14.

need to increase the directly elected element to 50% in 1991:

Still too soon to come to any firm conclusions on what will be

needed in 1991.

air

The first Chief Executive should be elected by an electoral college

on the lines provided for the second and third Chief Executives in

the draft Basic Law:

Before events in China, we had concluded that arrangements on these lines would be appropriate. Will need to keep under review, in light of evolving opinion in Hong Kong.

CONFIDENTIAL