TNAG-2012-FCO40-2864-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991-1990 — Page 89

A

For discussion

on 20 February 1990

CONFIDENTIAL

Annex C

Blue Vol.XXXIX(24)

XCX (9.0) 10

Copy No..

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

ARRANGEMENT OF

CONSTITUENCIES FOR 1991

DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THE PROBLEM

There is a need to give further consideration to the establishment of constituencies which must be put in place. prior to the direct elections to the Legislative Council in 1991.

RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT

2

Members are asked to note the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options, as set out in the subsequent paragraphs, and to advise on the most appropriate arrangement.

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT

Background

3

After considering memorandum XCX (89)54 (Annex A) at an informal meeting on 18 July 1989, Members asked that another informal meeting should be arranged to consider the pros cons of -

-

(a)

single-member constituencies;

(b) double-member constituencies;

(c)

(d)

multi-member constituencies; and

a combination of the above.

4

in elections.

Members also asked that the discussion paper for the meeting should take account of the fact that 50% of the population lived in public housing estates and the need to give every encouragement to prominent "national" figures to participate in

In discussion, Members felt that "there was an argument in favour of retaining existing DB constituency boundaries. This would help to maintain the present political structure thereby providing a link between DBS and the central government".

CONFIDENTIAL