TNAG-1360-FCO40-1806-Procedural-changes-in-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 38

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tagged in 1983 file attached)

B.

пословай

Mr Hoare

22/1

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

1.

HKK 011/8

12

RESTRICTED

Reference...

KKK 01118

23 JAN 1985

GCOM

TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF LEGCO

You asked me to consider Mr Hammond's letter of 12 January to Mr Galsworthy and draft a reply. I think it would be useful if I briefly set out the background to Mr Hammond's letter.

2.

In January 1983 a Working Party of Hong Kong officials produced a report on the Standing Orders, conventions and practices of LEGCO and recommendedthat some changes should be made. These changes, which were of an organisational/ procedural nature were announced in Hong Kong in August 1983 and were picked up by the press (including "The Times") which blew their significance out of all proportion. Hong Kong Department had not been informed in advance of these changes and was therefore unable to comment on the press stories. Dick Clift wrote to Hong Kong asking inter alia to be kept informed of any such changes in the future. Hence, Mr Hammond's letter of 12 January to Mr Galsworthy.

3.

Hong Kong is now seeking to amend Standing Order 60 (Copy attached) so that the Finance Committee can meet in public, with the power to go into closed session when necessary. This amendment follows from an amendment made in August 1983 which allowed the Finance Committee to hold special meetings in public to examine the draft estimates prior to the committee stage of the Appropriation Bill. The proposed amendment seems a natural progression towards more open government and as Mr Hammond points out, may encourage a greater level of involvement by the public in the administration of Hong Kong.

5.

I attach a draft reply from Mr Galsworthy to Mr Hammond.

Jone Am klowak.

J A Klowak

21 January 1985

Hong Kong Department

CODE 18-77

RESTRICTED