XN000022-1993-06-30 — Page 46

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993

EXCO AND LEGCO MEMBERS KEEP IN CONTACT

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THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REFUTED COMMENTS THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF CO- ORDINATION BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OR THAT A COMMUNICATION GAP EXISTED.

AS LONG AS THE COUNCILS ARE TWO SEPARATE BODIES AND PLAY DIFFERENT ROLES, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THERE WOULD BE OCCASIONS ON WHICH THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF VIEWS BETWEEN THEM, HE SAID.

REPLYING ΤΟ A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAI SAID MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NOT LOST TOUCH WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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'INDEED, AS IT IS ALWAYS THE CASE, THE OPINIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND WELL EXPRESSED THROUGH THE MEDIA, HE SAID.

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MEMBERS OF THE TWO COUNCILS ALSO MAINTAIN CONTACTS THROUGH VARIOUS INFORMAL CHANNELS AND IN INFORMAL MEETINGS ORGANISED BETWEEN MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY.

"THERE IS NOW ALSO THE GOVERNOR'S QUESTION TIME, WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY HAS BROUGHT EVEN GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPENNESS OF THE WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.

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IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THE SETTING UP OF GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE A FORUM OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNCILS.

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WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO PURSUE THE PROPOSAL FURTHER SHOULD MEMBERS FEEL THAT IT WOULD SERVE AS AN ADDITIONAL, USEFUL CHANNEL

OF COMMUNICATION, MR LAI SAID.

"WE WOULD ALSO BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY CONSTRUCTIVE FROM MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE ADDED.

PROPOSALS

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