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11. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMPRISES THE GOVERNOR (AS THE PRESIDENT), THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS - THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND, AT PRESENT, 29 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND 15 OFFICIAL MEMBERS, WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S PRIMARY FUNCTION IS THE ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING LEGISLATION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS. IT ALSO QUESTIONS THE ADMINISTRATION ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEBATES QUESTIONS OF POLICY. IN ADDITION, IT EXERCISES CONTROL OVER THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS THROUGH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, AS CHAIRMAN, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ONE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL (BY CONVENTION THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS) AND ALL THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
12. BENEATH THE GOVERNOR IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE ARE HIS THREE PRINCIPAL ADVISERS: THE CHIEF SECRETARY, WHO, (NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) INTER ALIA, IS HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE GOVERNOR'S DEPUTY: THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHO IS THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISER ON BUDGETARY AND FISCAL POLICY AND ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS: AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS THE GOVERNOR'S LEGAL ADVISER. THESE THREE OFFICIALS ARE MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO OF BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND, AS OF RIGHT, EACH HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE GOVERNOR. IT IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THESE THREE PRINCIPAL ADVISERS THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE OPERATES, THROUGH THE MACHINERY OF THE 14 BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND 59 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
13. IN ADDITION TO THE THREE MAIN CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND
THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE THE URBAN COUNCIL, 18 DISTRICT BOARDS, AND AN EXTENSIVE NET WORK OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
14. THE URBAN COUNCIL IS A STATUTORY AND FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS
BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING MUNICIPAL SERVICES AS WELL AS CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS.
IT COMPRISES 30 COUNCILLORS, 15 OR WHOM ARE APPOINTED BY THE
GOVERNOR AND 15 DIRECTLY ELECTED ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS. THE
CHAIRMAN 13 ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL FROM AMONGST ITS MEMBERSHIP.
THE ELECTED MEMBERS AUTOMATICALLY HAVE SEATS ON THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS IN WHOSE AREA THEIR CONSTITUENCY LIES, AND THE APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE ALSO ALLOCATED SEATS ON DISTRICT BOARDS.
15. THE 18 DISTRICT BOARDS WERE SET UP IN 1982 ON A GEOGRAPHICAL
BASIS COVERING THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG. OF THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, ABOUT ONE-THIRD ARE OFFICIALS, ONE-THIRD ARE APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS AND THE REMAINDER (132 AT PRESENT) ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED UNOFFICIALS. IT IS IN THE DISTRICT BOARDS THAT THE CONCEPT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BASED ON POPULAR ELECTIONS
HAS BEEN MOST WIDELY DEVELOPED. THE BOARDS PROVIDE A FORUM FOR
PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
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