TNAG-1354-FCO40-1795-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 8

JA4 AMN

CONFIDENTIAL

21/5/4

(26 Minister

Dr Wilson

PS/Mr Luce

Lyfe

HONG KONG:

1.

HKK 0111,

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

30 MAY 1985

DES" OFFICI

INDEX

let

REGISTRY Acisutt Taken

891+

FROM:

DATE:

A C Galsworthy, HKD

20 May 1985

REMUNERATION AND ALLOWANCES

ALLOWANCES FOR UMELCO MEMBERS

Mr Luce may wish to be aware of proposals recently endorsed by the Hong Kong Executive Council for the introduction of a stipend for UMELCO members of $8500 (about £900) per month.

BACKGROUND

2. The Hong Kong Government White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government, published last November, proposed that, in addition to the current system of reimbursing members' expenses, a "standard rate of remuneration

should be provided", to be introduced "when the first elected Unofficial Members join the Legislative Council".

3.

•

• ...

The current system, introduced in 1976, provides only for reimbursement of Members' expenses, up to a present monthly ceiling of HK$9500 (about £1000).

4. The aim of the new proposal is to try to ensure that the "less well off" members of the Hong Kong community are not deterred from standing for election because of the effect that the amount of time they would then need to devote to UMELCO affairs might have on their regular income from employment or business.

5. The monthly stipend will be set at

at a flat rate of HK$8500 (£900), which will be reviewed annually.

CONFIDENTIAL