Legislative Council
11
The changes made in 1985 in the methods of selecting some members of the Legislative Council produced a larger Council with a more widely representative membership. The Council is working well and conducts a great deal of substantial government business efficiently and with despatch. There is support in some quarters for making no further change in 1987-88 in order to give more time for the system to settle down and for experience to be gained of it.
12
In other quarters there is strong support for the introduction of members directly elected to the Council on the basis of the universal suffrage now in force in Hong Kong for District Board, Urban Council and Regional Council elections. Proposals range from the introduction of a few directly elected members,
members, to the direct
to the direct election of up to a quarter or one third of the Council. No one has suggested that the Council be composed entirely of directly elected members at this stage of Hong Kong's development.
feature.
13
Functional Constituencies were created in order that full weight should be given to representation of the economic and professional sectors of Hong Kong society which are essential to future confidence and prosperity. They are now widely accepted; their territory-wide coverage is a strong There was pressure at the time of their introduction, and this has continued, to increase their number. An increase by two to four members would probably be welcomed, to recognise for example the importance of tertiary education, the accounting profession and the building and property development professions.
14
Official Members at present number ten. They are necessary for the conduct of government business and there is a general belief in the Legislative Council that there should be sufficient of them to handle Bills and reply to questions on all aspects of administration. The addition of up to
to four members could be justified to provide wider coverage of government business and would probably be accepted by
by the Legislative Council and the majority of public opinion.
15
in order
to
The Electoral College was established in provide representation on a geographical constituency basis. It provides at present ten members elected by District Board groupings, and one each selected by the Urban Council and Regional Council.