DB2A JO
CONFIDENTIAL
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TIM RENTON'S FROM:
OFFICE
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العالم
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DATE:
HUL All
8 NOV 1985
W G Ehrman, HKD
4 November 1985
Sir W Harding Shilpan
Mr Fifpot, Deputy
Legal Adviser
Dupl
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and agree was quen regommendation.
امفهة
HONG KONG: LEGISLATIVE. COUNCIL QUESTIONS...
203
PROBLEM
A 1.
Setang
the possible
Hong Kong have sought
sought our views on
introduction of
arrangements to allow Government
officials without seats on LEG CO to attend Council
meetings in order to answer Unofficials' questions. How should we reply?
41
RECOMMENDATION
2. I recommend that we endorse Hong Kong' proposal in
principle, subject to such a scheme being politically
acceptable to Hong Kong Unofficials.
telegram.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
I submit a draft
3. Arising from proposals in the Hong Kong Government White Paper on the Further Development of Representative
B Government, Hong Kong has recently proposed, and
Ministers have agreed, that the number of Official
members of LEGCO be reduced from 16 to 10.
4.
The reduction places a wide range of
responsibilities upon the remaining 10 Officials in
LEG CO, in terms of the subjects for which they are
answerable to the Council. Unofficial members have
expressed some concern lest the new arrangements do not
allow the fullest public account of Government activities
to continue to be provided in response to questions in
LEGCO.
CONFIDENTIAL