TNAG-2449-FCO40-3565-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 218

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THE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS COME BEFORE THE LEGCO IN-

HOUSE MEETING.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

18. ON 2 MARCH THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRIEFED

THE COMMITTEE ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS TO SET UP A SPECIAL

COMMISSION EARLY NEXT YEAR TO DRAW UP ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES AND OVERSEE FURTHER ELECTIONS.

19. THE SELECT COMMITTEE ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION BEFORE GIVING THE PROPOSAL ITS SUPPORT. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL ARGUE THAT THE SPECIAL COMMISSION'S AMBIT SHOULD BE WIDENED TO COVER POLICY ISSUES SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES, METHOD

OF VOTING AND ELECTION EXPENSES ETC.

COMMENT

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20. SIGNS OF A MORE MATURE LEGCO IN TERMS OF PROCEDURAL MATTERS, BUT LESS SO IN HANDLING POLITICAL ISSUES (E.G. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM OR THE BUDGET - SEE BELOW). POLARISATION ON PARTY LINES IS EVIDENT, LEADING TO MUCH ARGUMENT ON MOOT POINTS AND CONSIDERABLE FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO OCCUPY THE MIDDLE GROUND., WHO TRY TO PLAY A MORE MODERATE ROLE. DEBATES IN MARCH ON THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM AND THE BUDGET WILL SHED MORE LIGHT ON HOW PARTY LINES ARE SHAPING MEMBER'S POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES.

21. EARLY MARCH IS PRODUCING A GOOD DEAL OF LEGCO HEAT AND ILL- CONSIDERED POLITICAL MANOEUVRING BY BOTH THE UDHK AND CRC. THIS WILL BE COVERED IN OUR MARCH REPORT.

WILSON

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.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

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