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The Governor asked how the Government could best procure a majority in LegCo in the absence of a Government Party. Mrs Rita Fan said that the Government could try to form a Government Party, but this would take a lot of work. Alternatively it could adopt a more flexibility policy of trying to divide and rule between the various factions in LegCo. LegCo had now become a forum for putting pressure on the Government, and its efficiency had deteriorated. The Governor said that we had to find ways of working together without being too partisan or shrill.
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The Governor said that the Executive authorities should be accountable to LegCo. He wondered how this could best be done without undermining the effectiveness of the Executive, and how the relationship between ExCo and LegCo should work. Mr. Lee said that LegCo scrutinised bills and had to approve funding.
There was
no absolute certainly that the Government could get a majority on every issue. Dr. K.C. Lam said that he too was interested in the Governor's questions. The directly elected members were trying to initiate policy through debates and to monitor all aspects of the Government. wondered how the Governor could achieve an Executive-led Government in such circumstances.
6.
He
The Governor said that when institutions were evolving, it was difficult to have both a strong Executive and a strong Legislature. Hong Kong was however different in its composition from most legislatures. He was interested to seek CRC's views on
He how things were changing and how they should change. had always believed that an Executive would be stronger if it was open to debate and argument. He personally wanted to be more accountable, but the question was how this should best be done. Mrs Selina Chow said that she agreed that debate and argument strengthened the Executive. But LegCo was badly polarised. The directly elected element saw itself as an opposition. there was no Government Party, CRC had been forced into supporting the Government, and got criticised for it. But they believed that they were acting in the overall interests of the people of Hong Kong.
7.
Because
Mr. Steven Poon said that the key issue for the next five years would be the governability of Hong Kong.
He The territory was going through a difficult period.
The Governor said did not want to see a power vacuum. that he accepted the need to give a strong political lead, but the Government could not guarantee a majority in LegCo. He would put forward his proposals in his LegCo Address in October, but he would then have to
CONFIDENTIAL