XN000022-1992-01-08 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8. 1992

EXECUTIVE-LED SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHANGE: GOVERNOR * * * * *

NOT

THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE DID SEE THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY CHANGE TO THE PRESENT EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.

"I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD CHANGE. THAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT WE HAVE HERE; IT'S ALSO THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW, HE SAID.

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SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT AT QUARRY BAY, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHAT WE HAVB TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SYSTEM OPERATES A9 EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

"WHEN THERE IS A NEED TO, FOR INSTANCE, EXPLAIN THINGS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; EXPLAIN THINGS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THEN WE MUST DO SO AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO ADAPT TO A SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THEY WILL EXPLAIN THINGS AND SOMETIMES MORE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED THEN THE QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED AND THE MATERIAL MUST BE SUPPLIED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

"BUT THE KEY THING IS THAT WE REMAIN AN EXECUTIVE-LED SYSTEM.

THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAD ITS OWN VERY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY WHEN IT HAD TO PASS, DEBATE AND SOMETIMES AMEND LEGISLATION AS WELL AS TO PASS ALL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS.

"BUT THE SYSTEM WE HAVE HERE, LIKE MANY, MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AND IT'S A SYSTEM WHICH HAS SERVED HONG KONG VERY WELL, IS ONE WHICH IS EXECUTIVE-LED," SIR DAVID SAID.

"WHAT

WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS IT WORKING EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE PLAYING THEIR PROPER ROLES IN THAT SYSTEM, HE ADDED.

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ASKED ABOUT HIS MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE CHINESE STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE COVERED A WHOLE RANGE OF TOPICS WITH MR LU PING, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG."

"ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF THESE MEETINGS IS WE CAN DISCUSS ANYTHING THAT EITHER SIDE WISHES TO RAISE AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY POINTS OF CONCERN THAT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER SIDE CAN RAISE; AND IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO ANSWER ANY PARTICULAR QUESTIONS THAT HAPPEN TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

"AND

HE

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID TALK ABOUT WAS THE EVOLUTION OF THE SYSTEM HERE IN HONG KONG; IT'S A STEADY PROCESS OF EVOLUTION, SAID.

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/"I EXPLAINED

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