Extract from speech by the Chief Secretary in the Legislative Council on
11th November 1982
Legislative Council and the Role of Unofficials
I turn now to the working party set up to review the Standing Orders. conventions and practices of this Council in order to improve procedures and to reflect more clearly the contributions made by Linofficial Members to the making of new legislation. Like Mr. LoBo I am taking a personal interest in the activities of this working party. It is chaired by the Director. Councils and Administration Branch, and its members include the Law Draftsman, who has been concerned with the Standing Orders of legislatures in several territories. the Secretary-General of the U.M.E.L.C.O. Office, who is well placed to represent the views of Unofficial Members, and the Clerk of Councils and the Deputy Clerk of Councils, both of whom have considerable experience of the workings of this Council.
A number of arcas have been identified in which there may be scope for more effective use to be made of the existing Standing Orders. without the need for any major amendments. For example, the provisions dealing with adjournment debates and select committees could be invoked to greater effect, which may or may not cover what Mr. YEUNG had in mind. Some necessary minor amendments to Standing Orders have also been suggested.
When the working party has completed its review, which should be within the next few weeks, I shall immediately discuss its recommendations with Mr. LOBO. with a view to deciding what further action should be taken on them.
To allay any misconceptions, I should just interpolate here that the scope of this review was never intended to go beyond the procedures followed by this Council in its meetings. It certainly was not intended to cover the constitution of, or appointment of Members to, this Council, which are matters prescribed in the Royal Instructions; and it is not proposed to recommend any changes to them at this time.
B