- 2 -
"It is no disrespect to this Council to say that we cannot afford to allow sectional interests to be put above the overall interests of Hong Kong.
"The fact that on a few occasions other considerations do not allow us to accept the views of this Council does not in any way undermine the role of the Council in the law-making process.
"The fact that the Administration decides to withdraw a proposal does not mean that there can be no further discussion on it. On the contrary, in the case of the Employment (Amendment) Bill we made great efforts to refine and improve our package.
"If we were practising 'some form of dictatorship', as alleged by some Members, we would surely not bother to go to such trouble."
Mr Mathews also refuted suggestions that the Administration saw LegCo as a "rubber stamp".
He said the Government was aware that it had no divine right to expect Members to support its proposals automatically, and that it was up to the Government to persuade Members that they were in the best interests of the people of Hong Kong,
J
For example, Members have on many occasions amended or rejected Government proposals in the past.
"The recent example is the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Bill which was passed by this Council on 12 October. We supported the Third Reading of the Bill, although the Bill contained a committee stage amendment opposed by us," he said.
Concluding, Mr Mathews reiterated that the Administration recognised the important role played by Legislative Councillors.
"We have paid, and will continue to pay, respect to this role, and to the right of Members to interpret it as they wish.
"But we too have a role to play, and I hope that Members will in turn respect that role, and our right to interpret it in the way that we believe is in the best interests of the people of Hong Kong as a whole.
"This is surely the best way to maintain the public's confidence in this Council and the entire system of government in Hong Kong," he added.
End/Wednesday, January 25, 1995
24:
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.