represented and
which
advising on the
policy.
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play such a valuable role in
conduct of government
formulation
and
9.
In the short term it is necessary to consider
whether any further change to the number of Official
Members in the Legislative Council should be introduced
in 1988. The options are:
(i)
to maintain the number of Official Members at
the present level of 10;
(ii)
to further reduce the number; or
(iii) to increase the number.
10.
Under Option (i) official members may
As
experience some problems in continuing to cope with the
breadth, volume and complexity of the areasof Government
policy with which they have to deal in Council.
questions become more detailed this may lead to
dissatisfaction amongst members over answers they are
given in question time. This may in turn lead to a
situation in which less attention is focussed on some
important areas of the Administration's responsibilities
simply because they are not directly represented in the
Council. Option (ii) would exacerbate the problems
described above and could in turn lead to a real loss of
efficiency in the conduct of the Council business.
would change the present balance in the Membership of the
It
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