CONFIDENTIAL
PROCEDURE TO IMPOSE A CONTRIBUTION
8.
The following procedures were possible:
(2)
By the use of the unofficial majority. This would
involve the following steps:
(a)
Reference to Executive Council who would refuse to advise acceptance of the figure to be imposed. (b) The Governor would have to inform Executive
Council that he had decided to act against their advice and he would report accordingly to the Secretary of State.
(c)
흐흐흐
(a)
(e)
1
(f)
Reference to Finance Committee who would likewise
refuse to vote the funds.
Preparation of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill which would then need to go to Executive Council. The Governor would again act against Executive Council's advise and order that the Bill should go to Legislative Council.
The
The Bill would be debated on two occasions in the Legislative Council (first on its second reading and subsequently at the committee stage). Governor would then have to use his casting vote
to force the measure through.
(2) The use of Hong Kong Legislative Council Standing
Order No 58. This would enable the necessary funds to be voted by using the official majority in committee of the whole Council; but a Supplementary Appropriation Bill would subsequently be required and although the Bill would not in these circumstances require reference to Executive Council it would give rise to public debate in Legislative Council for a
second time.
(3)
By Order in Council. This procedure would not require reference to Hong Kong and would thus not involve the Unofficial Members who could disassociate themselves from it. It would be necessary to take legal advice as to whether the Order in Council could or should be made under the Royal prerogative or through normal Parliamentary procedure (which might involve a debate). (So far as was known this procedure had
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CONFIDENTIAL
/never