J
Constitution
4. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs is responsible to Parliament for the government of
Hong Kong. The authority of the Governor derives from the
Letters Patent and with detailed requirements in the Royal
Instructions.
5. The Governor is obliged to seek the advice of the Executive
Council on major public policy issues. The Executive Council
comprises 5 ex-officio members and 10 other members appointed
by the Governor, of whom 9 are Unofficials. The Governor is
not obliged to accept the advice he receives, but he must
report his reasons to the Secretary of State.
6. The Governor legislates with the advice and consent of
the Legislative Council comprising 4 ex-officio members and
18 Official and 27 Unofficial members nominated by him.
7. All proposals involving expenditure from public funds
must initially be considered by the Finance Committee of the
Legislative Council, comprising all Unofficial members, the
Chief Secretary (Chairman) and the Financial Secretary. A
Public Accounts Committee considers the annual report of the
Director of Audit and reports to the Governor as Fresident
of the Legislative Council.
8. The Unofficial members of both Councils form an organis-
ation known as UMELCO which has its own staff and which acts
as a forum for discussing matters of current concern. Through
the UMELCO Office members deal with public complaints and
representations.
2
19.