TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 152

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like to say a little about them later, but I shall deal first, if I may, with the Standing Orders and their amendments. There are two proposed which should bring about a noticeable difference in the way in which this Council operates.

First, in order to encourage greater use of the prov- isions for adjournment debates, amendments are proposed to Standing Orders 9(7) and 9(8) to give you, Sir, as President,

discretion to extend the period of 20 minutes within which an Ex-officio or Official Member must be called upon to reply, and the overall period of 30 minutes within which the question must be put to conclude the debate. The present time limits, it is felt, have tended to discourage debate. If several Unofficials wish to speak on the same matter, the time presently allowed is a little short. Likewise the official member replying may find himself hard pressed to deal with all the points adequately within 10 minutes.

Second, Sir, amendments are proposed to the constituent paragraphs of Standing Order 60 so as to permit, and indeed to make it normal, for Finance Committee to sit in public for its examination of the draft Estimates before the Appropriation Bill is considered in committee of the whole Council. This

requires a little explanation. The procedure to which I refer is known informally as the work of the Estimates Committee. It consists of the members of Finance Committee who sit down to consider the draft Estimates, to examine them in detail; and where the Committee so wishes, to require the attendance of the controlling officer to justify the sums of public money which he has sought for that financial years. The controlling officer

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