TNAG-0290-FCO40-326-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1971 — Page 18

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(g)

The character of the Councils

must be such

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

as to avoid any need for the over frequent

employment of the Governor's original and

casting votes to ensure the official majority.

5. There can clearly be no quarrel with these principle

ว

although there may be some reservations as regards the

rigidity with which certain of them should be applied.

Nevertheless there is little doubt that some change is

desirable in the character of the membership of the

Zentral Councils of Government.

aw

The following criteria indicate

are suggested in the attempt to undertake the type of

change which the Department believes to be desirable:

(a)

(b)

Change is required not so much in the spheres

of activity and knowhow represented by

members as in the backgrounds, attitudes and

values of those appointed. It is important

In the absence of elected representation, that the general public should be brought to

hat/the

a realisation that the Legislative Council

is a forum for genuine cut and thrust debate

on matters directly affecting them and not

merely a body for rubber stamping decisions

previously taken by "the Establishment".

This will become even more important if the

Governor's proposals for removing all

officials from the Urban Council and for

curbing the scope of debate in that Council

are adopted.

Those appointed should undoubtedly be people

who fulfil the principles set out by the

Governor (paragraph 4) but they should also be

persons of truly independent mind and approach

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/who will