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*INTEREST IN THS ACTIVITIES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ITS WORKLOAD AND THE TIME DEMANDED OF MEMBERS. THE EMOLUMENTS PROVIDED FOR UNOFFICIALS MAKE UT POSSIBLE FOR LOWER HNCOME PEOPLE TO BE MEMBERS, AND COMMIT THEMSELVES VIRTUALLY FULL-TIME.
22. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS A VERY BUSY AGENDA. HN HTS CURRENT SESSION, IT WILL PASS 6 OR 8 MAJOR BILLS ON MATTERS OF GREAT PUBLIC *INTEREST, INCLUDING THE BUDGET, AND OVER 70 MINOR BILLS, MOSTLY AMENDMENTS DESIGNED TO KEEP HONG KONG'S LEGISLATION UP TO DATE. ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS ARE EXAMINED IN COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN THE UMELCO PANELS AND AD HOC GROUPS. THE MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY CONSTITUED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE TACKLED THIS WORK IN A SERIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FORMULATION AND EXECUTION OF POLICY REMAINS FIRMLY WITH THE EXECUTIVE. BUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S TASK IS TO ENSURE THAT THESE POLICIES ARE ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED AND JUSTIFIED IN A PUBLIC FORUM, SO THAT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE MAY BE SATISFIED THAT THERE
'S A CLEAR JUSTIFICATION FOR LAWS AND POLICIES WHICH AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIVES.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
23. THE WFDE NETWORK OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED OVER MANY YEARS AS PART OF THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION BY WHICH GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO OBTAIN, THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH INTERESTED GROUPS, THE BEST ADVICE ON WHICH TO BASE DECISIONS. THEY CAN BE STATUTORY OR NON-STATUTORY, ADVISORY OR EXECUTIVE IN FORM.
24. PRINCIPAL BODIES INCLUDE THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL: THE HOUSING AUTHORITY: THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADV:POSRY COMMITTEE, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION. THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS CAREFULLY SELECTED TO REFLECT SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. IN RECENT YEARS, THE PROPORTION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO APPOINTED TO THEM HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASED, AND WHEREVER POSSIBLE THE CHAIRMAN
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
DEP HD/PUSD
HD/PUSD
RD (MR WALKER)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR RENTON
PS/PUS
SIR W HARD ING
SIR J FREELAND MR WILSON MR CROWLEY
PUSD
COPIES TO:- MR ROBERTS
MR FIFOOT
MR WOOD
MR PEIRCE
S AN UNOFFICIAL.
NEWS DEPT
LEGAL ADVISERS
LEGAL ADVISERS
ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC
MR MALLABY CABINET OFFICE
MR DRC CHRISTOPHER CABINET OFFICE SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
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