JA4 AMN
Dr Wilson
PS/Mr Luce
CONFIDENTIAL
FILE
(23)
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RECEIVED I
STRY
20 MAY 1985
DESK OFFICE-
INDEX
сы FROM:
804
AC Galsworthy, HKD
DATE:
20 May 1985
HONG KONG:
REMUNERATION AND ALLOWANCES FOR UMELCO MEMBER S
1. Mr Luce may wish to be aware of proposals recently endorsed by the Hong Kong Executive Council for the introduction of a stipend for UMELCO members of $8500 (about £900) per month.
BACKGROUND
2.
The Hong Kong Government White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government, published last November, proposed that, in addition to the current system of reimbursing members'
expenses, a "standard rate of remuneration
should be
provided", to be introduced "when the first elected Unofficial Members join the Legislative Council".
• •
3. The current system, introduced in 1976, provides only for reimbursement of Members' expenses, up to a present monthly ceiling of HK$9500 (about £1000).
4. The aim of the new proposal is to try to ensure that the "less well off" members of the Hong Kong community are not deterred from
standing for election because of the effect that the amount of time
they would then need to devote to UMELCO affairs might have on their
regular income from employment or business.
5. The monthly stipend will be set at a flat rate of HK$8500
(1900), which will be reviewed annually.
CONFIDENT LAT