TNAG-2014-FCO40-2865B-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991-1990 — Page 11

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18.

There will be no change in the composition of the

District Boards and Municipal Councils on this occasion.

This is not a passive decision. Arguments have been

advanced in favour of altering the balance of membership in

the Municipal Councils and also in the District Boards.

These arguments have been well made. Our reason for not

proceeding is essentially that the changes proposed to this

council are enough to digest at one time and that changes

to the Municipal Councils and the District Boards at the

same time might distract from the first direct elections to

this council. Thus, for the moment, they will preserve the

present arrangement by which about one third of their

membership is appointed.

We will, however, review the

situation again before the 1995 elections, with a view to

further change.

19.

Members will, of course, have the opportunity in

due course to scrutinize and debate the legislation nich

will give effect to the arrangements which I have just

outlined. The legislation will include other practical

arrangements, currently under review including election

expenses, nomination procedures and election deposits.

would like to assure members that we are conscious of the

need to set them in place as early as possible in order to

allow those who wish to stand for election adequate time to

prepare themselves.

I