TNAG-2922-FCO40-4197-Visits-and-proposed-visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of--1993 — Page 122

Serial No

Subject

Background

7

Line-to-take

7

The total

number of DB

seats as from

1994

The amendment to the DB

Ordinance to provide for 338

DB elected seats as from

1994, being part of the

exercise to enact the

Boundary and Election

Commission (BEC) ordinance

[enacted on 26 May], is seen

to be based on the

assumption that all DB appointed seats will be

abolished. As the future of

the DB appointment system hinges on the result of the

current talks between

Britain and China on the

1994/95 electoral

arrangements, some pro-China DB members may criticize the move as gun-jumping and make an issue out of it.

There is a statutory requirement on the BEC to submit its recommendations on the DB geographical constituency boundaries to the Governor before end of this

year. The number of DB elected seats is basic parameter which must be in place

before the BEC can start work on boundary

proposals. Does not prejudice final decision on appointed seats.