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length of each member's term of office on that committee and
the number of committees on which particular members were
serving, and whether they were serving on too many committees
and that the length of time they had served was not too long.
In general we try to achieve a period of no more than six
years on any particular committee and no more than six
committees per person. That was one of the considerations
which he took into consideration when he made this review.
He also reviewed with the policy secretaries concerned the
terms of reference of those committees. Following that of
course as the term of office of members comes up for
reconsideration, the principles which have come out of the
review will be taken into consideration in making fresh
appointments.
Dr. Ho: Sir, what is the proportion of these advisory
committees having an unofficial member as Chairman and is
there any policy or plan to have more unofficial members
to chair these committees in the future?
The Chief Secretary: I think the question here, Sir, should be
divided into two parts, that is, committees in general and
the major boards and committees. Of the 29 major boards
and committees, 27 are chaired by unofficials but for the
generality of boards and committees it is about fifty-fifty.