TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 114

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HKK 011/7

RELLIVE PAY REGISTRY

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16 AUG 1983

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Mr lift Lift

DESK OF K KIDEX

PROCEDURAL CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILYS

1.

PA

On reading the Working Party report attached to Sir P Haddon-Cave's letter of 6 August, it is easy to see why the Hong Kong Government "regarded the whole thing as a pretty basic exercise" and did not think it worthwhile to send us a copy in advance.

2. The Working Group, which consisted entirely of Government officials, was set up to review the Standing Orders, Conventions and Practices of Legco. As this suggests, it was very much a "nuts and bolts" exercise. The Group's recommendations are listed at paragraphs 6-7 of the report. The main ones of interest to us were:

3.

a) select committees, consisting of a majority of

Unofficials and chaired by Unofficials, should be established on a trial basis to deal with bills.

They should normally hold initial meetings in private but final sessions in public;

b) consideration should be given to Finance Committee

meeting in public (see paragraph 6 of Sir P Haddon-Cave's letter for the outcome of this);

c) a third general debate should be held each year;

d) members should consider making more use of Cantonese;

e) further consideration should be given to the appropriate-

ness of the term "Unofficial Member" when the Royal Instructions are next amended.

As

Among the minor amendments proposed to Standing Orders, including corrections of printing errors etc, was one to substitute "Hong Kong" for "the colony" wherever it occurs. Sir P Haddon-Cave points out, the Attorney-General stressed in Legco that this had no special significance and followed previous practice, but the media seized upon this in the context of the future talks and blew it up out of all proportion.

4. I do not think it is worth submitting to Ministers on this, unless they raise any queries as a result of the press reports. However, I attach a draft reply to Sir P Haddon-Cave's letter.

CODE 18.77

15 August 1983

Letter to woul

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R J F Hoare