TNAG-0004-FCO40-40-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 170

SECRET

BRIEF NO. HK.31

HONG KONG POLITICAL

AND ECONOMIC

A.

CONSTITUTION

PA,

DOOR, 1.

Hong Kong is administered by the Governor, assisted by entirely

nominated Executive and Legislative Councils, over which the Governor

presides.

2.

The Executive Council consists at the present time of five

ex-officio members and one official member, together with eight

unofficial members. Four of the latter are Chinese, three are European

and one comes from the Portuguese community.

3. The Governor is required to consult with the Executive Council save

where matters are unimportant or too urgent. He may act contrary to

the advice given by the Council, but in such cases must report fully to

the Secretary of State.

4. The Legislative Council consists of twelve official and thirteen

unofficial members (all nominated);

of the latter nine are Chinese,

three are European and one Indian. The Governor, as President, has

an original and a casting vote.

5. The Legislative Council is the ultimate financial authority in the

Colony. Its Finance Committee consists of the Colonial Secretary the

Financial Secretary and all unofficial members. Apart from decisions

on certain matters including currency and banking for which the

Secretary of State's approval is required, the Colony has autonomy in

its financial affairs.

6. The power to legislate rests with the Governor by and with the

advice and consent of the Legislative Council. There are the usual

reservations to the Crown of the power of disallowance, and of the pover

to legislate by Order in Council for the peace, order and good government

of the Colony.

SECRET

/Constitutional Reform