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18 JUN 1926
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NOTE FOR THE PRIVY COUNCIL
Draft Hong Kong Letters Patent 1986
Draft Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1986
The drafts of the (amending) Letters Patent and the Additional
Instructions which are now submitted for the approval of Her Majesty
The Queen in Council propose three separate amendments to the
constitutional instruments of Hong Kong.
The principal Letters Patent provides for the composition of the Legislative Council. The experience of the last year has shown that there are insufficient official nominated members of the Council to
conduct Government business and, in particular, respond adequately to unofficial members' questioning of Government policy. It is therefore proposed that the existing number
of seven nominated
official members (there are in addition three ex officio official
members) should be increased by four to eleven. It is not, however, intended that more than two additional members should be appointed
at present.
is
to
second The
amendment proposed
the draft proposed in
Letters Patent
alter the style under which grants of land are made in Hong Kong. The present requirement of the Letters Patent is that grants should be made in Her Majesty's name. Since current grants and re-grants may extend beyond the period during which
during which the United Kingdom has sovereignty and jurisdiction in Hong Kong, it is proposed that this form should no longer be used.
The proposed amendment in the Additional Instructions is designed to facilitate the making of laws in both the English and in the Chinese
languages.
Hong Kong Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
June 1986