The Unofficial members of the Executive Council in particular
play an important dual role. On the one hand, they are close
advisers of the Governor. And on the other, they, together
with their colleagues in the Legislative Council, seek
understandably to express their understanding of the wishes
and concerns of the people of Hong Kong to a wider public,
including of course members of this House. It was in that
latter, independent, capacity, and entirely on their own
initiative, that they associated themselves with the statement
which I understand has been sent to all members of the House.
This was an exercise in free speech, not of their governmental
role.