TNAG-1012-FCO40-1262-Address-by-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--at-t-1981 — Page 17

WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

1.

This is one of the few occasions each year when I get a chance

to pay a public tribute to the work, devotion and good humour of the

Members of this Council. I do so to-day with great sincerity. The

form of this Council may be an anachronism, but its spirit and performance

}

match those of any legislature in the world for efficient transaction

The se

of business, for freedom from faction, and for concern not for sectional

or party interests but for those of the community as a whole.

are precious attributes.

2.

members

S

I am

sure that the steady increase in the number of unofficial

they have more than doubled in 10 ̊ years - and the expansion

of the support available to them in the UMELCO Office, have greatly..

contributed to the effectiveness of this Council I have no doubt that

•

as the scope and complexity of the Government of Hong Kong continues

+

to increase so there must continue to be change in the size and

composition of this Council. Meanwhile I record my grateful thanks for

the high quality of work done, and the immense devotion of personal

time and energy to doing it.

PLAN OF THE ADDRESS

3.

I will, as usual, start this address with the economy because

this is the base on which all our lives are built. In dealing with it I will begin with the legislation proposed for this session, go on to describe the state of our public finances, and then review our economy and its prospects. Then against this background I will report on what your Government has done and is proposing to do in its major fields of activity, including relevant legislation.

/ECONOMIC

...