CONFIDENTIAL
(32)
VISIT OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER TO HONG KONG
September 1972
Background Note
CONSTITUTION
Hong Kong is administered by the Governor, assisted by entirely
nominated Executive and Legislative Councils, over both of which
the Governor presides.
The Executive Council consists at the present time of five ex
officio members and one official member, together with eight
unofficial members. The Governor is required to consult with
the Executive Council save where matters are unimportant or
too urgent. He may act contrary to the advice given by the
Council but in such cases must report fully to the Secretary
of State.
The Legislative Council consists of thirteen official and
fourteen unofficial members (all nominated). The Governor,
as President, has an original and a casting vote.
The power to legislate rests with the Governor "by and with
the advice and consent of the Legislative Council".
There
are the usual reservations to the Crown of the power of disal-
lowance and of the power to legislate by Order in Council for
the peace, order and good government of the Colony.
Constitutional Reform
Constitutional reform in Hong Kong was considered after the war
but was not implemented, partly because of the unsettled con-
ditions in the Far East and partly because of the difficulty
/of devising
CONFIDENTIAL