TNAG-1357-FCO40-1798-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 27

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Presidency of Legislative Council

41.

The objective is to separate the Executive from

the Legislature, according to the Joint Declaration;

and

?

ultimately to avoid the Chief Executive being the President

of Legislative Council.

42.

Options are:

a)

the Governor continues to be President;

b)

to create a post of Deputy President to be

filled from within or outside the Legislative Council,

to relieve the Governor from time to time;

c) to appoint a person from within or outside

the Council as President. The Governor would be

present once a year (and on exceptional occasions)

for presenting the policy Address;

d)

to create an office of Speaker which would

be rather different from the office of President,

and would have in C.P.G. eyes, political implications.

Advisory Boards & Committees

43.

These have served us well and whatever system develops,

will continue to be needed. Principal options are:

a) to continue with the present framework and

further to increase the proportion of members of

Legislative Council, in particular as Chairmen;

b) to combine the principal Boards and

Committees, where appropriate, with UMELCO Panels

and ad hoc groups; or

c)

?

or

to combine the principal Boards & Committees,

where appropriate, with Legislative Council Standing