TNAG-2456-FCO40-3577-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 106

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CONSULTATIONS WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ARE FULLY ENDORSED BY MINISTERS. THEY RESPOND TO THE RAPID GROWTH OF POLITICAL AWARENESS IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS. THE GOVERNOR IS AIMING TO MAKE HONG KONG'S ADMINISTRATION MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE, AND THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM MORE FAIR AND DEMOCRATIC, WHILE MAXIMISING THE PROSPECTS THAT THE CHANGES INTRODUCED UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION WILL SURVIVE BEYOND 1997. WE BELIEVE THAT STRONG EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT, AND VIGOROUS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ARE THE BEST MEANS OF SAFEGUARDING HONG KONG'S WAY

OF LIFE.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE

- TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNOR HAS CLARIFIED THE FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, BY

ENDING THE PRACTICE OF OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP. NOW MEMBERS OF

LEGCO WILL BE FREE TO DEVELOP THEIR PARTIES AND PROGRAMMES. ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE REINFORCED EG BY THE GOVERNOR MAKING HIMSELF AVAILABLE ON A REGULAR BASIS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN LEGCO.

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EXCO WILL BE AN ADVISORY BODY MADE UP OF RESPECTED FIGURES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH NO PARTY POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AND TOP CIVIL SERVANTS. THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE THE LEAD IN BUILDING SUPPORT IN LEGCO FOR HIS POLICIES THROUGH A NEW NON-STATUTORY BODY TO BE CALLED THE GOVERNMENT/LEGCO COMMITTEE.

THESE POINTS ALL RELATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UP

TO 1997: THE GOVERNOR IS THEREFORE ANNOUNCING DECISIONS ON THEM.

1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

- THE SIMPLEST WAY TO EXTEND DEMOCRACY WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS AT THE 1995 LEGCO ELECTIONS BEYOND THE 20 LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW (THE CHINESE LAW WHICH WILL BE HONG KONG S CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT AFTER JULY 1997)

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR THAT. BUT GIVEN THE CHINESE POSITION THAT THE BASIC LAW CANNOT BE CHANGED, THE GOVERNOR IS EXPLORING IN PARALLEL HOW TO USE TO THE FULL THE SCOPE FOR BROADENING DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE BASIC LAW. (DETAILS ARE AT PARA 5 BELOW).

WE SHALL NEED TO DISCUSS THESE PROPOSALS WITH THE CHINESE, IN THE INTERESTS OF CONTINUITY. BUT WE CANNOT LET DISCUSSION DRAG ON INDEFINITELY. WE MUST START MAKING PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS EARLY IN 1993 TO BE READY FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS IN 1994.

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THIS PACKAGE WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS

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