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Article VIII of Royal Instructions.
Article II of Royal Instructions.
Article X of Royal Instructions.
Article XII of Royal Instructions.
Article XXI of Royal Instructions.
Article XIII of Royal Instructions.
Background
Note on Executive and
Legislative Councils: Hong Kong
Hong Kong is administered by the Governor assisted by
entirely nominated Executive and Legislative Councils.
Executive Council
2.
The Executive Council is presided over by the Governor
and consists of 5 ex officio members and "such other
persons", who may be Officials or Unofficials, as The Queen
"may from time to time appoint". At the present time the
Council consists of 6 Official (5 ex officio plus 1 nominated
Official) members and 6 Unofficial members nominated by the
Governor; 3 of the latter are Chinese and one comes from the
Portuguese community.
3.
In the execution of his "powers and authorities" the
Governor is required to consult with the Executive Council
save where "Our Service would sustain material prejudice by
consulting the Council thereupon"" or the matters to be
decided are unimportant or too urgent to seek their advice.
In practice the Governor takes all major policy decisions
(except in the field of defence?) in consultation with the
Council. He may act in opposition to the advice given by
the Council but in such cases must fully report the matter
to the Secretary of State.
Legislative Council
4. The Legislative Council is also presided over by the
Governor. It has since 1938 consisted of the 5 ex-officio
members of Executive Council 4 other Official members and 8
nominated Unofficial members. Of the present Unofficial
members, 5 are Chinese and one comes from the Indian
community. One of the Unofficials is nominated by the
Justices of the Peace and 1 by the Hong Kong Chamber of
Commerce (an arrangement dating back to the last century).
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