TNAG-2712-FCO40-3918-Parliamentary-relations-draft-White-Paper-on-Representative--1993 — Page 12

the associated Decision of the NPC therefore have important implications for the electoral arrangements to be put in place

by the Hong Kong Government before 1997, given the objective of

continuity and a smooth transition of government institutions.

8.

The review of developments in representative government took place in 1987. It generated considerable public

interest. The Hong Kong Government published a further Green

Paper. After extensive public debate, the resulting 1988 White Paper concluded that although there was wide support in the community for the principle of some directly-elected members in the Legislative Council, opinion was sharply

divided as to the timing of their introduction. The Hong Kong

Government decided to postpone the introduction of

directly-elected members to the Council until 1991, in order

to allow the changes introduced in 1985 to settle down.

further. The White Paper recommended an increase in the

number of functional constituency seats in 1988 and the

introduction of 10 directly-elected seats in 1991.

(i)

"If the composition of the last Hong Kong Legislative Council before the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in conformity with the relevant provisions of this Decision and the Basic Law of the Hong Ko Special Administrative Region, those of its members who uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and who meet the requirements set forth in the Basic Law of the Region may, upon confirma by the Preparatory Committee, become members of the first Legislative Council of the Region."

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