Page:Hong Kong Basic Law consultation report vol. 1.djvu/37

 3.5 Expenses

The expenses involved depend on the number of questions to be surveyed and their complexity, the sample size, the survey method and the degree of accuracy required of the results. The expenses will probably be in the range of HK$900,000 to HK$2,000,000.

4. Development of the discussion of the Consultative Committee for the Basic Law on whether it should conduct a public opinion poll on the Basic Law (Draft)

4.1 From 13 to 17 February this year, the special groups of the CCBL held meetings to discuss the consultations on the Basic Law (Draft). At these meetings, some members proposed that a sample survey should be conducted to gauge the opinions of members of the public on the Basic Law (Draft) or on some of the sections and chapters of the Draft such as that on the political structure. Members held divergent views on this proposal. Some of them expressed support while others were against the proposal or had reservations about it. Moreover, the members did not have any clear idea or common understanding of the objectives and methods of the sample survey.

4.2 On 18 February, at the resumed meeting of the 21th meeting of the Executive Committee, the Vice Chairmen each reported on the results of discussions held by the special groups, including the opinions of members for and against the proposal that the CCBL should conduct a sample survey. As the opinions of members were not unanimous, the meeting asked the Secretariat to submit a report to the Executive Committee on the feasibility of conducting a sample survey scientifically, objectively and fairly.

4.3 On 8 March, the Executive Committee held the second resumed meeting of the 24th meeting at which members exchanged opinions on whether the CCBL would conduct a sample survey but no conclusion was reached.

4.4 On 29 March, the Executive Committee held the third resumed meeting of the 24th meeting. The meeting first studied the report on the question of sample survey submitted by the Secretariat and then further discussed the issue. The issue was put to a vote after discussion, with the following results: 2 votes for, 5 against and 3 abstentions. It was finally resolved that the CCBL would not conduct a public opinion poll on the Basic Law (Draft). The meeting also decided to follow last year's practice, i.e. to faithfully convey to the Drafting Committee the survey results submitted by outside parties and organizations.