XN000022-1992-10-07 — Page 47

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992

30

DIRECT ACCESS TO COMAC PROPOSED

PUBLIC THE

WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC) UNDER

THE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, PROPOSALS CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.

ANNOUNCED

RT HON

IN HIS

MR POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROPOSED THREE CHANGES TO COMAC:

PATTEN

THE

AT PRESENT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN ONLY ASK COMMISSIONER TO INVESTIGATE THEIR COMPLAINTS THROUGH A NON-

MEMBER OFFICIAL

OF THIS COUNCIL. IN FUTURE, THE PUBLIC SHOULD

THE RIGHT TO TAKE COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY

HAVE

COMMISSIONER;

ΤΟ

THE

*

AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER IS UNABLE то INVESTIGATION REPORTS. THIS RESTRICTION SHOULD BE LIFTED. BUT,

OF COURSE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED;

PUBLICISE

HIS

OF

EXTENDED

TO

HE

A

THE COMMISSIONER'S JURISDICTION SHOULD BE INCLUDE COMPLAINTS AGAINST STATUTORY BODIES SUCH AS THE MTRC AND THE KCRC.

OFFICE WOULD

AND THE

SAID WITH THESE CHANGES, THE COMMISSIONER'S MORE EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARD AGAINST MALADMINISTRATION ARBITRARY USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE POWER.

PROVE

MR PATTEN SAID COMAC WAS ONE ADDITIONAL ELEMENT IN ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS DECISIONS AND ACTIONS, WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS UNDERDEVELOPED.

0

LEGCO/EXCO TO BE SEPARATED

* * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SEPARATE, FOR THE TIME BEING, THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE ᎡᎢ HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH TO LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THAT AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT HE HAD CONCLUDED THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

"I INTEND, FOR THE TIME BEING, TO SEPARATE THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE TWO BODIES.

/"THIS SHOULD