TNAG-2455-FCO40-3576-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 23

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Response to specific Chinese objections [only if already made

public].

(i)

Government Business Committee

This Committee not ExCo by another name. Will not see confidential papers or be subject to collective responsibility.

Its purpose is to help management of Government business in LegCo by providing a forum for a regular discussion and

explanation. Governor or Senior Official will chair this

Committee. Hong Kong Government will continue to be

executive-led.

(ii) District Boards

- District Boards' proposed new functions are entirely

consistent with terms of the Basic Law. Their new

responsibilities will not turn them into organs of political

power.

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(iii) 1995 elections

Governor's proposals have been carefully designed to be within

Basic Law. We have made it clear to the Chinese that we intend

to discuss these proposals with them, with a view to achieving maximum continuity.

(iv)

Functional constituencies

Aim is to broaden democratic participation within the terms of

the Basic Law. Electorate of functional constituencies greatly

expanded (100,000 to 2.7 million). But voters still electing a

LegCo member to represent them at the workplace. So essential

feature of functional constituencies maintained.

ExCo not consulted properly.

- Governor did seek ExCo's opinion on his constitutional

proposals; and their views were taken into account.

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- Consultation over Governor's LegCo address less extensive than

govspeech.supp1.PR.JRB