SECRET
BE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO PRESIDE OVER IT. AS PRESIDENT HE COULD
NOT INTERVENE IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE. PROVISION MIGHT THEREFORE BE MADE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO SELECT SOMEONE FROM AMONG ITS OWN MEMBERS TO PRESIDE OVER ITS PROCEEDINGS. IF IT WERE DECIDED, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 1987 REVIEW (SEE PAPER NO 2), THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CEASE TO PRESIDE OVER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NO
PROBLEM OF CONVERGENCE WOULD THEN APSE.
TERMS OF OFFICE.
29. THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND OF THE LEGISLATURE WOULD NEED TO BE SPECIFIED. THERE COULD BE A CASE FOR EXTENDING THE PRESENT TERM
OF OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEYOND 3 YEARS.
30. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES FOR THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE. THIS COULD:
(A) CONICIDE WITH THE TERM OF THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATURE: OR
(B) BE STAGGERED TO PROVIDE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF
EXECUTIVE AT A DATE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF ELECTIONS TO THE
LEGISLATURE.
ENDS
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD
PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
-7 SECRET