And as far as I could judge as a layman the technical aspects of the project were impressive; the various elements fit well together and a number of aspects eg new road and rail links should provide considerable spin off for the general economic development of HK.
Impact of direct elections
20.
Although I was not able to explore the subject as fully as I hoped I did talk to a number of people, including one of the new directly elected members of LEGCO, about the way the legislative arrangements were working. I found there was considerable frustration felt by most of those within the HKG about the extra burdens and delays imposed on their work. This was rather reminiscent of the negative reactions within the UK civil service when the Select Committee system was developing in the 1980s.
21.
Certainly as both LEGCO and the official machine test each other out a considerable amount of. extra work is falling on the Government's side. But the great bulk of business and legislation is being successfully got through. And there were some within HKG to whom I spoke who saw positive aspects from the more questioning LEGCO approach.
22.
On the LEGCO side there was also frustrations with the new directly elected members feeling they had no real handle on Government business, for example with very little power for the Standing Committees. But the main thing that struck me about LEGCO was that the more aggressive criticisms of the new members was causing the older established members instinctive supporters of the HKG approach themselves. So for the first time the absence of any official "Government Party" within LEGCO evident. There seems no doubt this is making life challenging.
-
many of whom were
to adopt a more critical
was becoming very
for HKG
more
6=