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greatly enlarged and partly elected Council has the required
administrative support and that Members are adequately, but
not lavishly, recompensed for the long hours they devote to
Council business and the responsibilities of Office.
Finally, there is. the legislation we
legislation we are considering today
which will set out for Members, in their new, independent
Council Chamber, a framework of law describing their rights
and defining their obligations in the exercise. of those
rights. It is the view of the Government, and Members have
endorsed this view, that the new Council should have this
statement available to guide it when it starts its work.
Today's Council has grown and developed from the laws and
practices of the past; CUMOTTOW'S Council calls fot A
clearer and more defined identity.
:
+
"FOI last year's words belong to last year's
language. And next year's words await another voice.
}
Already many Committees have been opened to
been opened to the Public
Committee, the Public Accounta Committee,
Finance
the
the
Estimates Committee, and there are Select Committees;
widening scope of the Council will doubtless lead to
others. How much better that we have available not only to
the Council but to Members of the public a basis of law in a
aingle Hong Kong Ordinance within which they can operate?
If subsequently the Council decides or there 18 legitimate
call for Amendment от addition to this law this
debated by the Council.
Can
be
1