Page:Hong Kong Basic Law consultation report vol. 1.djvu/39

 by the CCBL

5.1.1 Affirmative views:

5.1.1.1 The CCBL has always played a passive role in collecting opinions from members of the public. It merely collects the opinions submitted by people in Hong Kong without discerning the degree of inclinations for various opinions existing within the community. Hence, a public opinion poll conducted by the CCBL will be highly valued as it will make up for this inadequacy and will increase the legitimacy of the Basic Law.

5.1.1.2 Under the prevailing circumstances, it will be difficult to reach a compromise. Moreover, the point of having a public opinion poll does not lie in seeking a compromise among the various models or opinions, but in understanding how people in Hong Kong generally think of the various opinions.

5.1.1.3 A public opinion poll will not exclude new opinions. Furthermore, it is expected that not many new opinions will be put forward towards or after the conclusion of the consultation period. If a public opinion poll is conducted then, no major problems will arise even if it fails to collect new opinions as this is not its function. The poll will enable people in Hong Kong to show their stance on the existing opinions and the results of the poll will be very helpful to the Drafting Committee in making its final decisions.

5.1.1.4 Inclinations which are substantive or established on a scientific basis will help the drafters in their consideration and decision-making. The CCBL should not be over-anxious about "the undesirable influence that quantified opinions may have on the drafters" as the drafters are persons of insight who will make wise decisions against pressure.

5.1.1.5 Some of the drafters have affirmed the positive role of a public opinion poll.

5.1.1.6 The CCBL has relatively more resources than other organizations and is therefore qualified to conduct a territory-wide public opinion poll.

5.1.1.7 The CCBL is relatively neutral and has sufficient authority to conduct a territory-wide public opinion poll. Hence, a public opinion poll conducted by the CCBL should be more reliable than one conducted by any other organization and will be readily accepted by the public.

5.1.2 Reservations and objections:

5.1.2.1 The function of the CCBL is to extensively collect the