5. The Governor legislates with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council ("Legco") comprising:-
The Governor;
b. 4 Ex-officio members (the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Attorney-General, and the Secretary for Home Affairs);
C.
40 other members appointed by the Governor.
The Governor has not for many years sought to override the views of
Legco.
6.
There is also an Urban Council which is responsible for the built up areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Kowloon (which contain about three-quarters of the population). 12 of its members are elected (by a limited franchise, subject to educational and property qualifications); and 12 are appointed by the Governor from among prominent members of the community. Its main duties are public hygiene, the control and licensing of markets, and the provision and maintenance
of recreational and cultural facilities.
7. By far the most significant political presence is that of the Communist Chinese. There are a number of overt Communist organisa- tions including trade unions with a total membership of some 200,000 and Communist schools with some 33,000 pupils. They are tightly disciplined and controlled by the local party organisation appointed by Peking (of which the head is the Director of the local New China News Agency office). These organisations have not attempted to play a direct role in Hong Kong's political affairs. While it remains the policy of Peking to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist organisations in the territory can be relied on not to undermine government policies.
8. The activities of the Chinese Nationalists parallel those of the Communists but on a smaller, and diminishing, scale.
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