GRS 1250
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2185
CONFIDENTIAL
OF 17050OZ OCTOBER 85
VISIT OF MR RENTON
3
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BRIEFING TELEGRAM NO 1 : STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
SUMMARY
ннн 027
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
DESK
INDUS
17 OCT 1985
CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS THE COLONIAL
MODEL WITH WIDE POWERS VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR. IN PRACTICE, THE
EXERCISE OF THOSE POWERS IS CLOSLY CIRCUMSCRIBED BY CONVENTION,
BY THE REALITIES OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS, AND BY THE TRADITION
OF GOVERNMENT BY CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS. RECENT REFORMS ARE
A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS.
17110.
2. THE GOVERNOR IS THE QUEEN'S REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG. HE
DERIVES HIS AUTHORITY FROM THE LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS
WHICH SET OUT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL AND THE LIMITS OF THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
3. THE GOVERNOR IS OBLIGED TO CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNTIL (EXCO)
ON ALL IMPORTANT MATTERS OF POLICY AND TO REPORT TO THE SECRETARY
OF STATE IF HE SHOULD EVER. DECLINE TO ACT ON ITS ADVICE. IN PRACTICE
THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT FOR SEVERAL DECADES ACTED AGAINST THE ADVICE
OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. EXCO MEETS WEEKLY ON TUESDAYS.
4. EXCO COMPRISES FOUR EX OFFICIO MEMBERS (THE CHIEF SECRETARY,
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND ATTORNEY
GENERAL), AND TWELVE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF WHOM ALL BUT TWO ARE
UNOFFICIALS.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
5. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNTIL (LEGCO) DISCUSSES AND ENACTS LEGISLATION, INCLUDING LEGISLATION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS. BILLS,
AFTER RECEIVING THE GOVERNOR'S ASSENT, PASS INTO LAW WITHOUT
EXTERNAL SCRUTINY, ALTHOUGH RESERVE POWERS OF DISALLOWANCE ARE RETAINED BY THE QUEEN.
6. COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SCRUTINIZE REQUESTS FOR
FUNDS AND AUDIT EXPENDITURE. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-
COMMITTEES EXAMINE THE ANNUAL BUDCET ESTIMATES, AND ANY CHANGES
DURING THE YEAR, REVIEW PUBLIC WORKS PRIORITIES AND CONTROL THE
GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE EXAMINES
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
CONFIDENTIAL
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