TNAG-1360-FCO40-1806-Procedural-changes-in-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 29

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-

distributes copies of the question to

the question to the persons

the persons on the list in Appendix I. He includes the text of the question in the revised Order Paper, ensuring that all Members of the Council are aware of the question before the sitting at which it is to be answered.

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or

If the reply is to be given by either the Chief Secretary or the Financial Secretary, the Branch Secretary will, in consultation with other Secretaries or Heads of Departments, submit a draft to the Chief Secretary Financial Secretary as soon as possible and not later than noon on the Monday

the sitting. before

Any related material which may

assist in answer ing possible

should also be

in included supplementary questions submission.

should

the

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If the reply is to be given by an Official Member, he should prepare his reply in consultation with other Branches or Departments as appropriate. He may also refer to the Chief Secretary and Financial Secretary when he feels the need. A Branch Secretary is not required to endorse the reply of an Official Member who is a Head of Department; he should, however, offer any assistance which might be necessary.

on the

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Answers to questions should be sent to the Clerk to the Legislative Council not later than 5 p.m. day before the sitting. The Clerk to the Legislative Council will send copies to the Official/ex officio Member giving the reply, to the Director of Information Services and to the Secretariat Press Officer. Copies of the reply will also be tabled at the sitting for Members information.

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If

the President permits an urgent question relating to a matter of public importance with shorter notice under Standing Order 17(4), the above procedure will be followed to the extent that is practicable. When the Legislative Council sitting falls on a day other than a Wednesday, or where public holidays intervene, the time and day mentioned above should be adjusted accordingly.

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the

Following the sitting, the Clerk to Legislative Council will forward a loose minute containing a copy of the question and of the reply, together with any