3
likely acceptability to the Legislative Council of proposals
put to the Executive Council.
The Council's powers and functions:
the theory and the practice
The prime constitutional function of the Executive
Council is to advise the Governor, whose decisions in
Council are formerly described as decisions by the "Governor
in Council".
Governor is
Under the Royal Instructions, the
obliged to consult the Executive Council on "all cases"
(See Note), and he alone is entitled to submit questions to
the Council. In practice the compilation of the agenda is
not subject to the absolute personal control suggested by
the terms of the Royal Instructions. In a typical year the
Administration will submit between 600 and 800 proposals
Note:
Certain minor exceptions to the rule are specified
in the Royal Instructions. For example the Governor is not
required to consult the Council on the appointment,
disciplinary control and removal from office of public
servants or on unimportant matters. In practice most
matters of importance, except for budgetary proposals (which
are submitted to the Legislative Council direct) and a very
of limited range financial matters (where Hong Kong law
specifies other means of control), come to the Executive
Council.