B4
Because of their extensive experience and local interests their views
carry considerable weight. In recent years they have been selected
from an increasingly wide spectrum of society. The unofficial members
are supported by the UMELCO Office, which provides them with
administrative services and, under their direction, handles complaints
and representations from the public on the whole range of government
activities. Each year hundreds of individual grievances or appeals
against government decisions or proposed new legislation are dealt
with and, where necessary, rectified. In carrying out this function
unofficial members have access to government papers and to senior
officials and, when appropriate, they can challenge established
procedure and policies or refer issues to either of the two councils.
Besides making regular and formal contributions to the Executive and
Legislative Councils, unofficial members spend a great deal of time
examining proposals for new policies, and also draft legislation in
informal groups set up for this purpose. When necessary, these
groups have thorough discussions with official representatives and
representatives of public bodies. Public views are taken into
account during these deliberations, which not infrequently result in
amendments to proposed policies and legislation. Besides holding
periodic formal meetings with heads of government policy branches, a
substantial amount of informal day-to-day contact takes place between
unofficial members and government officials, during which views are
exchanged on matters of public concern and on matters which are
brought to their attention by members of the public.
5.
The Urban Council, consisting of 24 members (12 appointed by