TNAG-2010-FCO40-2862-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-General-Election-Com-1990 — Page 6

SECRET

HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: GRAND ELECTORAL

COLLEGE/ELECTION COMMITTEE

Redacted under FOI exemption sections 27 (1)(a), (c), (d)|

2.

The British Government's view is that one of the best ways of

ensuring a smooth transfer of government in 1997 would be to provide

that all members elected to the Legislative Council in 1995 should

be able to continue in office until 1999. To this end we would be

willing in principle to cooperate with the Chinese Government and

introduce the Election Committee method of election to the

legislature in 1995, providing that our two Governments can reach an

understanding on satisfactory arrangements for such elections.

3. The main aspects on which we believe agreement would be

necessary are:-

(a) the size and composition of the Election Committee, the

delineation of each category of membership and the selection of individual members from each category; and

(b) procedures for the nomination and election of candidates to

the legislature.

ROEACE

SECRET