TNAG-2716-FCO40-3922-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 80

1

..

Cesire

?

ere

jecice.

acce sectioas

Che Learty

the community that

291, I believe this

to introduce a lower number in 1291,

DAY се jone

irectly elected seats

fona.

there were a sufficient number

For 1997 and development thereafter

vas sufficient ว Command general support in Hong

might thus be able to offset disappointment at

Ne

the fallure

to

introduce 23 seats in 1991.

5.

: believe that your proposal for 53 per cent directly elected seats

seats in 2003 could be accepted by opinion

. ກ Hong Kong for the elections in that year if it were part steady progression starting earlier. But I fear that

Suggestion

ここ

your

for

20

seats in 1997 Would not be

sufficient

to command

support.

If, however, the Chinese

side were

seats (40

Law Would

be enabled

prepared to

increase the figure for 1997 to 24

per cent) I believe that there is a good chance that the provisions for political development in the Basic

receive support within Hong Kong. We would then to give active support to those provisions. In would make every effort to encourage people

views, including those

the

business

play an active part in the political life of

particular, we

SE

moderate

community, to

the Territory.

6.

in 1995.

ה :

In these circumstances, the British government would be prepared to limit the number of directly elected seats introduced in 1991 to 18 and to bring in 24 directly elected members

There would certainly be

Parliament and a strong and hostile Kong, but the achievement of gradual and steady progress on the lines I have outlined would enable

to defend such a decision vigorously.

disappointment in

reaction in Hong