TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 454

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Because of their extensive experience and local interests their views

carry considerable weight. In recent years they have been selected

from an increasingly wide spectrum of society. The unofficial members

are supported by the UMELCO Office, which provides them with

administrative services and, under their direction, handles complaints

and representations from the public on the whole range of government

activities. Each year hundreds of individual grievances or appeals

against government decisions or proposed new legislation are dealt

with and, where necessary, rectified. In carrying out this function

unofficial members have access to government papers and to senior

officials and, when appropriate, they can challenge established

procedure and policies or refer issues to either of the two councils.

Besides making regular and formal contributions to the Executive and

Legislative Councils, unofficial members spend a great deal of time

examining proposals for new policies, and also draft legislation in

informal groups set up for this purpose. When necessary, these

groups have thorough discussions with official representatives and

representatives of public bodies. Public views are taken into

account during these deliberations, which not infrequently result in

amendments to proposed policies and legislation. Besides holding

periodic formal meetings with heads of government policy branches, a

substantial amount of informal day-to-day contact takes place between

unofficial members and government officials, during which views are

exchanged on matters of public concern and on matters which are

brought to their attention by members of the public.

5.

The Urban Council, consisting of 24 members (12 appointed by