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Types and Groupings of Members
15.
broad
The members
of the 1985 Legislative Council
are in
terms
greatly not
different
from
before,
generally
middle
class,
in
being political
· albeit
and, professional
terms, moderate. However the elective background limited of 24 of the members means that they represent in
than before various
education
a more
groups
in
way sharply defined Council the
(for
example,
interest
and the
social services); they are under greater pressure to speak
up
their
interest
groups,
and
to
prove
members.
their by
The media
for diligence their value as new, elected, also expect more of them on this latter score.
16. Hong Kong has a well-developed and active range of pressure groups outside the legislature which have recently for election to District begun to support
candidates
and the
Boards, the Urban Council, the Regional Council Legislative Council. These pressure groups do not function as political parties in a western sense.
Method of Work
17.
(a) Meetings: The Legislative Council meets in public sittings once a week except during short recesses. But the work of the Council continues in public and in private throughout the week (see following
in paragraphs).
English or
is interpretation
may speak
Members
simultaneous
Cantonese:
provided.
(b) President: The
The
Governor presides at all sittings
of
Council
when
he
is
in
Hong
Kong,
and
is
his absence,
Chairman of committees of the whole Council.
member appointed by a
(in practice the Chief Secretary) presides.
In
the Governor
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