presented himself regularly to the Legislative Council to explain
Hong Kong Government policies and to answer members' questions.
The traditional practice of relevant Hong Kong Government
officials answering questions in the Legislative Council has
continued.
26. The Governor has ended the previous practice of overlapping
membership between the non-officials on the Executive and Legislative Councils. The more political climate in the
Legislative Council, following the September 1991 direct
elections, meant that those who were members of both Councils were
subject to potentially conflicting loyalties.
The requirement for members of the Executive Council to observe confidentiality and
collective responsibility and to support Government policies could conflict with the responsibilities of elected Legislative
Councillors to their constituents. The Governor decided that by
separating the non-official membership of the two Councils, each
Council would be better able to develop its proper role.
Legislative Councillors would be free to develop their political
programmes and parties, without the constraints that membership of the Executive Council must impose.
The Chief Executive
27. The Government has not yet discussed with the Chinese
Government the machinery for the selection of the First Chief Executive (3.18). We intend to do so at an appropriate time.
(ii) Airport and Related Infrastructure Projects
28. In October 1989 the then Governor of Hong Kong announced
plans for the long term development of Hong Kong's port and
airport, including the construction of a new international airport
at Chek Lap Kok to replace the existing one at Kai Tak. The plan called for the new airport to open in 1997 with one runway in operation.
select.cttee.PR.JRB
.../29. The