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"Equally, it would be difficult for members of the Legislative Council to perform their role of scrutinising frankly and critically the proposals put forward by the Government if they had already approved those proposals as Members of the Executive Council," he said.
Mr Patten said in the past, some LegCo members had called for seats in the ExCo, for an Executive Council which was representative of the Legislative Council.
"But to be frank, I have not detected much of a head of steam behind the idea this year.
"What is more, it is clear from what some members have said recently in public that if they were appointed to the Executive Council, they would find it impossible to accept the requirements of confidentiality and collective responsibility that have, with good reason, always been a principle of Executive Council membership.
"For these reasons, I believe it best to continue the separation of the two Councils' membership.
"I rely on the Executive Council for the wise counsel which can best be obtained from independent members of the community who have distinguished themselves in their own professional and business careers." said the Governor.
End/Wednesday, October 11, 1995
Governor calls for constructive co-operation in LegCo
The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, has called for constructive co- operation in supporting some 50 pieces of legislation which the Government attached priority and planned to introduce into the Legislative Council this session.
"These will have a direct impact on the well-being of every family in Hong Kong," he said.
"My hope, my aim, is that we should be able to move forward by consensus wherever possible.