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LegCo. Conspiracy theories abound, and are triggered by even the most innocuous developments, (eg more LegCo Standing Committees). One point repeatedly made is that
the present LegCo is an advisory, not a legislative body (in
contrast to what it will be after 1997). This is clearly
not the case. The Hong Kong Government has always
required "the advice and consent" of LegCo to pass Laws (LP
Tegls VII).
It also has the power to approve (or not to approve) certain of the government's expenditure proposals. In addition, private members bills may be introduced (RI XXVII)
in conditions not dissimilar to those described in BL 74.
(The Basic Law is, if anything, rather more restrictive).
The difference between previous LegCos and the new
post-September 1991 LegCo is in the use members may choose
to make of the powers they have. The powers themselves have
not changed.
3.
There is one (rare) past example of LegCo having
repeatedly rejected government proposals until these met with their approval. This was in 1972/73 over the renewal
of 75-year Crown Leases. It might be worth reminding the
Chinese of this, and making the point that it occurred well before the Joint Declaration was signed, when there could
have been no question of building up an intransigent LegCo
to make trouble for China after 1997.
к
Sanders
KAM Saunders
A
very clear
clear account. Para 3
Para 3 is useht
is useht ammunition.
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Zicketts
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