Dear Engineers

I made remarks on the motion debate on "constitutional reform proposal" at the Legislative Council on 9 November 2005. Full text of my speech as prepared is available at http://raymondhochungtai.org.hk/05eng_html%5CNov%5Csc20051109.htm

Following are the extracts of my speech regarding the two major issues
listed below:

(1) The need of a timetable for our future constitutional development

"As I have remarked at a meeting of the Panel on Constitutional Affairs the other day, I am pondering over the need of a timetable for our future constitutional development. Just like entering into a race, would it be better if one can work out the strategy right from the start with the knowledge of where the finishing line is? You may wish to know that striving for electing the Chief Executive in 2012 by universal suffrage was among the pledges I made to my constituents in my election platform during the 2004 LegCo Election. I sincerely hope that the government will take an open attitude with regard to the question of timetable."

My position on the need of a timetable was reported in Ming Pao Daily News on 10 November 2005. A copy of my election platform in 2004 LegCo Election is attached for your information.

(2) Broadening the electorate of the Engineering Functional Constituency

"I understand that the restrictive number of the Functional Constituency voters have always been the main point of contention. To address the issue, I am of the opinion that electorate base of the FCs should be broadened to enhance their representativesness. In fact, I am asking for engineering constituents' views on my suggestion to include Graduate Members and Associate Members of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) in the Engineering FC electorate. There are about 4,000 and 2,000 members for these two classes of membership, respectively. The number of eligible electors currently stands at 11,000, which could be increased to about 20,000 or more with the suggested changes."

As you may be aware, I have recently sent out a questionnaire on the 5th Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force. A total of 60 completed questionnaires were returned. Following is the summary of the reply results.

Yours,

Ir Dr the Honourable Raymond Ho Chung-tai
Website: www.raymondhochungtai.org.hk

A summary of reply results of the questionnaire on the 5th Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force:

Total number of completed and returned questionnaires: 60

Reply Results (Tally of replies):

Regarding the Method for Selecting Chief Executive in 2007

1. You are of the view that the proposed increase in the number of members of the Election Committee from 800 to 1,600 is:

too many (2)
appropriate (28)
too few (29)

2. You are of the view that proposed increase in the number of members of the professional sector of the Election Committee from 200 to 300 is:

too many (4)
appropriate (26)
too few (29)

3. Do you agree with the proposal to include all 529 District Council members in the Election Committee?

Yes (29)
No (29)

Regarding the method for forming the Legislative Council in 2008

1. You are of the view that the proposed increase in seats of the LegCo from 60 to 70 (35 for geographical constituencies and 35 for functional constituencies) is:

too many (14)
appropriate (35)
too few (10)

2. Do you agree with the proposed increase in the number of seats returned by the District Council Functional Constituency to be increased from 1 to 6 through election by District Council members from among themselves:

Yes (please go to question 3) (33)
No (please go to question 4) (26)

3. Do you agree with the proposal on allowing 102 appointed District Council members the rights to vote in and to stand for the elections of the 6 seats mentioned in question 2?

Yes (21)
No (17)

4. You hold the view that the electorate of the Engineering Functional Constituency should:

remain unchanged with Fellows and Members of HKIE and Registered Professional Engineers included in it (26)
expand to increase HKIE Graduate Members on top of the existing eligible voters (17)
expand to increase HKIE Associate Members on top of the existing eligible voters (16)