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5. IT IS PROPOSED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS FROM 10 TO 12. THIS WILL IMPROVE THE SITUATION APPRECIABLY WITHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERING THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL.
DEFENSIVE BRIEF
6. Q: WHY WAS THERE SUCH A LARGE REDUCTION FROM 18 OFFNCHAL MEMBERS TO 10 WN THE FIRST PLACE?
A: THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAS BEEN STEADILY REDUCED OVER THE YEARS IN ORDER TO CONFINE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP TO SENIOR OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY MATTERS WHICH AROUSE DIRECT PUBLIC INTEREST AND TO THOSE NEEDED TO HANDLE THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME. THE AIM HAS ALSO BEEN TO KEEP THE COUNCIL TO A MANAGEABLE SHIZE AT EACH STAGE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT.
7. Q: S NOT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INCREASE TO 12 LIKELY TO CAUSE ADVERSE PUBLIC COMMENT?
A: THIS IS NOT EXPECTED. IT WILL BE EMPHASISED THAT THE CHANGE IS A PURELY PRACTICAL MEASURE TO FACILITATE THE CONDUCT OF COUNCIL BUSINESS, AND THAT IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD
PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
COPIES TO :
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
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