CHAPTER 1 Introduction
The two major Councils of
Government in Hong Kong are the Executive Council and the Legislative Council; both include Official as well as Unofficial Members. The Official Members are usually Heads of Secretariat Branches or major Government departments and the Unofficial Members are selected by the Governor from a wide cross-section of the population.
The Governor consults the Executive Council in the execution of the powers and authorities granted to him by Letters Patent, and acts on its advice. As at 29.10.85, the Executive Council (ExCo) consisted of four Ex-officio Members, two Official Members and 10 Unofficial Members, appointed by the Governor.
As at 29.10.85, the Legislative Council (LegCo) consisted of three Ex-officio Members, 13 Official Members and 29 Unofficial Members. The Legislative Council enacts legislation and controls public expenditure.
The Unofficial Members are appointed from a wide spectrum of the community. Through their membership of over 300 boards and committees, including District Boards, the Urban Council and the Heung Yee Kuk, dealing with public affairs, with educational and legal matters, and with all facets of Hong Kong's economic and social life, Unofficial Members are in touch with all sectors
of the community.
Apart from their duties in the two
Councils, they monitor the
effectiveness of the public
administration, and consider
complaints by members of the public against Government.
During the year, the Unofficial Members dedicated much of their time to the issue of the further development of representative government in Hong Kong. Chapter 2 highlights debates on this subject, culminating in the
enactment of the Legislative Council (Electoral Provisions) Ordinance 1985.
This report reviews the work of UMELCO during the period
1st September, 1984 to 29th October, 1985. The closing date of the period covered by this report has been extended from 31st August, 1985 to 29th October, 1985, in order to cover fully the work of the outgoing Legislative Council and the end of the exclusive appointment system.
"The Unofficial Members of the
Executive and Legislative Councils record with deep regret the death of Father Patrick T McGovern, OBE, SJ, JP, former Member of Executive Council and serving Member of Legislative Council which occurred in Hong Kong on 30th September, 1984."
2
J
?