CONFIDENTIAL
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE IN
HONG KONG
PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS
1.
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The main components of the executive are:-
the Governor (its Head)
the Executive Council (ExCo)
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the Civil Service (Policy Secretaries)
Each has its own relationship with LegCo:-
(i) The Governor/LegCo
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The Governor makes laws with the advice and consent of
LegCo (LP VII). (Except in special circumstances, both are necessary to the legislative process).
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The Governor is President of LegCo and chairs those
sessions when he is present. A Deputy President, appointed
last October, now presides over regular sessions.
- In 1995 LegCo will elect its President from its own membership and the Governor will then cease to be a member of LegCo.
(ii) The Civil Service/LegCo
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At present the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Secretary for the Civil Service are ex-officio members of LegCo (in the past others were appointed members).
· After 1995 there will be no officials in LegCo.
- Other officials attend specific sittings of the Council or of its committees if designated by the Governor or requested by LegCo. They answer oral questions (usually the first hour of each weekly session of LegCo); present their policies to the relevant select committees (which sit on an ad hoc basis) or make formal statements on a major issue. (These statements are usually made by one of the 3
ex-officio official members of LegCo.)
BANAEN/1
SLM
CONFIDENTIAL