TNAG-2446-FCO40-3562-Political-parties-in-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 71

r

SO

and collective

applied unacceptable community leaders

to

to

of

of

not

So,

prepared

Principles of Confidentiality and Collective Responsibility 11. The present principles of confidentiality

in responsibility,

our view, have been too rigidly Councillors

that

constitute Executive

they barriers to directly elected legislators and with clear party platforms who might otherwise be join it and render their service to the better administration Hong Kong. Meeting Point is of the opinion that the question

Kong does Executive

being the government of Hong Council arise within the present constitutional structure, and being Executive Council does not need to adopt a practice of collective as that normally responsibility as vigorous and as extensive While cabinet.

maintaining the applied

a government

among importance of some shared responsibility and leadership

indeed between members of

Executive Council, Administration and the Legislative Council, we believe that notion of collective responsibility should be interpreted with an

and mind

far-sightedness, so that open Council can be

in place in Hong put critical period in the run-up to 1997.

to

the

and

the

any

a

Kong

stronger

during this

Executive

very

Increasing the Transparency of and Enhancing Public Participation in the Policy Making Process

12. Another important aspect of the democratisation process

the increasing

process transparency of the policy making enhancing public participation through various means such as publication of consultation papers on major policy matters.

13.

is

and

the

Similarly, the

advisory

Meeting

be made should system Point has always advocated

more

the

as

A

representative. appointment of people from a wider spectrum of the community onto The existing membership of major advisory bodies and committees. such advisory bodies comes from too narrow a background and, such, does not help encourage greater public participation. firmer commitment to root the Administration on wider

be and

made if the involvement

support government is to honour its promise of preparing Hong Kong people for self-government by 1997.

to needs

Relations with Political Groups

14.

community British

particular with the Council, a are ready to Kong.

a positive a political

As Hong Kong approaches 1997 and in introduction of direct elections to the Legislative number of political groups have been formed who share the leadership and responsibility of governing Hong Meeting Foint sees the emergence of party politics development, but believes it necessary to build up partnership between the Adminsitration and the political

and effectively can political groups that contribute to the long term interests of Hong Kong. that the Governor should hold regular meetings groups and consult them on matters of public concern.

SO

with

groups responsibly

We

suggest political

3