Transcript of SCA's briefing on constitutional development
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The following is the transcript of a standup briefing by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, during the recording of a Chinese TV show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law, which was jointly organised by 75 local business associations and the Constitutional Affairs Bureau tonight (July 29) (English portion) :
SCA: Since the conclusion of our public consultation exercise on the fourth report concerning constitutional development, in the last few weeks, we have been collating the views which we received and analysing the proposals which have been put to us. We are striving to come up with a fifth report by the autumn so that towards the end of the year, we can put forth and finalise amendments to Annexes I and II of the Basic Law regarding the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council respectively in 2007 and 2008. In the course of the last one and a half years, we have received many propositions. There are those who support an increase in the size of the Legislative Council in 2008 and there are those who support that we should maintain the status quo of having, say just 60 seats. Also, we have received proposals from many sectors that their representativeness in the Election Committee and the Legislative Council should be increased, for example from small and medium enterprises, from women' s groups, and from Chinese medicine practitioners. All these views which we have received, we would need to look at and examine very carefully. For the moment, we have not yet taken a firm position on the total package to be taken forward. We shall strive to have our fifth report released by the autumn and take forward the legislative amendments.
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