RESTRICTED
compared with 179 questions and
and 349 supplementaries in the previous
session, and held debates on a number of specific policy issues.
26.
Thus the 1985/86 session saw a marked increase in the volume
of business conducted by the Council.
It was characterised by
lively and at time heated debate on important issues such as the safety of the future nuclear power plant at Daya Bay in Guangdong province of the People's Republic of China
and the further
development of representative government in the territory.
27
and
The increasingly vigorous style of Council proceedings the tendency for Councillors to air their differences openly, rather
1986/87 session.
than in closed session, as in the past, has continued into the
The debate on the motion of thanks for the
Governor' S opening address, during which almost all members spoke,
was dominated by
discussion of the direction which the further
development
of Hong Kong's system of representative government
at
should take. Views were expressed strongly for and against rapid changes
in the present system The current session has also seen the Council adopt the practice of holding an adjournment debate
Issues already debated include medical services, public housing rental policy care of the elderly, industrial safety and education.
the close
of
virtually every sitting
The 1987 Review
28.
In line with the commitment
Kong Government will undertake a
in the 1984 White Paper, the Hong
further review of
the progress of
A Green Paper
the development of representative government in 1987. will be published, following which there will be a period of public
consultation.
A White Paper setting out
the Government' S
intentions, in the light of public opinion expressed, will then be published. The main issues on which the views of the public will be
sought include whether there should be further changes
composition of the Legislative Council, and whether the
should continue to be President of the Legislative
in
the
Governor
Council.
RESTRICTED