TNAG-1288-FCO40-1639-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 14

in a

Several suggestions have been made that Unofficial members of the Legislative Council should be remunerated manner which recognises suitably the very considerable of time that they have to spend on Council affairs and also ensures that possible candidates from the lower-paid sector of the community are not prevented from becoming members for

financial reasons.

52

This view is supported, and it is proposed to introduce a suitable rate of remuneration for all Unofficial members of the Legislative Council in 1985. Proposals as to the quantum of remuneration are now under active consideration.

Miscellaneous comments

53

Various other individual comments and suggestions have been made on such general matters as the statutory voting age, compulsory voting, membership of the Urban Council, the new Regional Council and the District Boards. These will be considered separately.

LEGISLATIVE IMPLICATIONS

54

In order to implement the proposals it will be necessary to seek approval as soon as possible for certain amendments to the Letters Patent and the Royal Instructions.

55

It will also be necessary to enact new Hong Kong legislation to cover the holding of elections to the Legislative Council, and in due course, to the Executive Council.

56

be

(1)

However, in the time available before the first elections to the Legislative Council in July 1985 it will not

possible to

draft and

enact comprehensive legislation covering elections by both the electoral college and the functional constituencies, in particular the latter, and it is therefore proposed that the elections

the elections take place in September 1985.

57

Legislation to cover the electoral college and functional constituency elections will be drafted and submitted to Members for consideration in due course, with a view to introducing it into the Legislative Council for enactment early in 1985.