TNAG-2211-FCO40-3171-Appointments-to-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 23

NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL

The Requests made by UDHK to the Governor

6.

This issue was reported upon by eight districts and

Headquarters. An overwhelming majority of our respondents

considered UDHK's move arrogant, unreasonable and unacceptable.

Some of our respondents had expressed strong support for the

Governor's firm position and considered that LegCo appointments

should remain the Governor's prerogative. A few respondents

expressed concern that the UDHK's move might undermine public

confidence, especially that of the investors, and this would be detrimental to the continued prosperity of the territory.

Legislative Council Appointments

7.

Seven districts and Headquarters reported on this item. Almost all of our respondents reacted positively to the appointments and were of the view that the appointments would introduce a good balance of different interests in the Legislative

Council. They thought that the appointment of professionals with no

political affiliations was a wise decision.

8.

However, a few respondents were concerned that, since most

of the new appointees shared very similar backgrounds with those

Legislative Councillors who were elected by functional

constituencies, there might be a predominance of conservative and

pro-business Legislative Councillors. They feared that this group of

legislators might have very little appreciation of the aspirations

and needs of the general public and therefore would not be able to

look after their interests.

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