TNAG-2987-FCO40-3573-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 69

CONFIDENTIAL

05151 MDHOAN 1209

J

DISCUSSION IN HONG KONG AND WITH THE CHINESE SIDE.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNOR ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE

TO THE PRINCIPLE OF MAINTAINING A STRONG, EXECUTIVE-LED

GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, ACCOUNTABLE TO LEGCO.

—

- THE PRESENT COMPOSITION OF EXCO HAS NOT PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN ENABLING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MANAGE ITS BUSINESS IN LEGCO SUCCESSFULLY.

THE GOVERNOR HAS THEREFORE DECIDED THAT THE NEW EXCO WILL NOT FOR THE TIME BEING INCLLE ANY NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO.

THIS WILL INVOLVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND WOULD NOT PRECLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF NON-OFFICIAL LEGCO MEMBERS IN THE FUTURE.

THE GOVERNOR WILL BE APPOINTING TO HIS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL INDEPENDENT PEOPLE TO GIVE HIM NON-PARTISAN ADVICE ON THE BASIS OF COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY, INCLUDING SOME PEOPLE WHO WE BELIEVE ARE RESPECTED BY CHINA.

-

IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE HANDLING OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROGRAMMES WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A COMMITTEE WILL BE FORMED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR OR ONE OF HIS SENIOR OFFICIALS. IT WILL INCLUDE CROSS-SECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS WILL BE NON-STATUTORY AND WILL NOT INVOLVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE. THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE FROM TIME TO TIME TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN LEGCO.

-

THE GOVERNOR WILL ANNOUNCE THAT LEGCO WILL ELECT ITS OWN PRESIDENT FROM AMONG ITS OWN MEMBERS STRAIGHT AWAY. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THE BASIC LAW. THE ORGANISATION OF BUSINESS IN LEGCO WILL CONTINUE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD ENHANCE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, AND HENCE PROMOTE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE ELECTIONS WILL NEED TO BE BROADLY BASED, FAIR AND OPEN.

-

THERE IS VERY WIDESPREAD SUPPORT IN HONG KONG FOR A GREATER

2

PAGE

CONFIDENTIAL