CP1AOU (2)
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Siletin werlines.
"Tu vel milio
11*
custication.
I THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH HMG
1.
range
in the
does she
not
exercise,
The constitution of the United Kingdom embodies a wide
of powers
and which by custom Queen,
by
but convention,
which are in
practice exercised by Ministers. The restraining force of custom and convention in the British system
written constitutional rules.
therefore
Similar
balances the practices apply in regard to the position of the Governor in Hong Kong. The Governor has ultimate responsibility for the direction of the Government of Hong Kong. He presides The Executive over the Executive and Legislative Councils.
The
Council is the principal policy-making body. Legislative Council, subject to the assent of the Governor, makes laws and authorises public expenditure.
2.
The formal source of the Governor's authority is the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions, which establish the framework of the administration of Hong Kong, and provide
of Article VII
the Hong Kong's
for the Letters Patent empowers the Governor to make "laws
constitutional
and
good
base.
government"
of
Hong Kong.
The
peace, order British Parliament, and the Queen in Council (ie the Privy
and
more
extensive
powers
Kong. Hong
Any
such
legislation
to
takes
Council) have parallel
for legislate precedence over Hong Kong laws, and any Hong Kong ordinance This, however, is is subject to disallowance by the Crown. only the formal position. The reality of the exercise of in Hong Kong is very different. In practice, the power power of disallowance has not been exercised for 70 years. Hong Kong generally legislates for itself, and enjoys
much
a
degree of greater reading the constitutional
autonomy
than is
apparent
from
documents.
This
includes
autonomy in deciding on public expenditure and on the means
of raising public revenue.
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