THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG
16س
1.
Article V of the Letters Patent to the Governor of Hong Kong
provides for the establishment of an Executive Council. Article X
of the Royal Instructions states that "in the execution of the
powers and authorities granted to the Governor by Our said Letters
Patent, he shall in all cases consult with the Executive Council,
excepting only in cases relating to the appointment, disciplinary
control or removal from office of a public officer, or in cases
which may be of such a nature that, in his judgement, Our service
would sustain material prejudice by consulting the Council thereupon, or when the matters to be decided shall be too
unimportant to require their advice, or too urgent to admit of their
advice being given by the time within which it may be necessary for
him to act in respect of any such matters". The Governor is not
obliged to accept the advice he receives from the Council, but if he
does not he must report his reasons to HMG.
2. The Executive Council at present consists of four ex-officio
members - The Chief Secretary, the Commander British Forces, the
Financial Secretary and the Attorney General and two Official and
eleven Unofficial members appointed by the Governor for fixed
periods on the Instructions of the Secretary of State. The Council
meets every Tuesday morning, and its proceedings are confidential.
Over the past year, the Council held a second weekly meeting, on
Wednesday morning, specifically to discuss matters relating to the
future of Hong Kong.