CONFIDENTIAL
made more precise is a matter for consideration.
EXECUTIVE NOT SUFFICIENTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO LEGISLATURE?
Draft Basic Law makes specific provisions :
"
Article 43 : The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong
SAR shall be accountable to the Central People's
Government and the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the
provisions of this Law".
Article 64 : The executive authorities of the Hong Kong
SAR must abide by the law and shall be accountable to the
Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR.
Recognise that relationship between executive and legislature
is an important and complex issue. In devising arrangements for the
future SAR, must have regard to present system which has worked well and is suited to the unique circumstances of Hong Kong. Not
appropriate simply to import system practised elsewhere, founded on
a different political tradition. The key need is for a system which
provides for both checks and balance, as well as co-operation
between the executive and the legislature. Accept that there is room
for debate on whether system set out in draft best suits Hong Kong's
future needs. But critics should advance feasible alternatives.
Hong Kong Department May 1988
CONFIDENTIAL