TNAG-1373-FCO40-1819-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

6.

funds

Committees of the Legislative Council scrutinize requests for

and audit expenditure.

The Finance Committee and its sub-committees examine the annual budget estimates, and any changes during the year, review public works priorities and control the growth of

of the Civil Service. The Public Accounts Committee examines the annual report of the Director of Audit.

7.

8.

Meetings of LEGCO and its committees are held in public.

Unofficial)

Until this year, all LEGCO members (both Official and

were appointed by the Governor, with Unofficials in the majority. For the new session starting on 30 October 1985, the total number of seats has been increased to 56, of which 10 are

reserved for Officials and 22 for Unofficials appointed by the Governor. The remaining Unofficial members are returned by a mixed system of indirect election 12 by geographically based electoral colleges, and 12 by "functional" constituencies. (See below) The new LEGCO will meet weekly instead of fortnightly as in the past.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES

9.

The electoral colleges are made up of members of the 19 District Boards, the Urban Council and the Regional Council. Groups

of 2 or boards and the 2 councils individually each elect on e

member.

10.

3

District Boards advise the Government on the provision of

services within each of the territory's administrative districts and

act as sounding boards for public opinion. Before April 1985,

District Boards were made up of Official and Unofficial members.

Among the latter group, about half we re directly elected by the

local electorate. As from 1 April 1985, District Boards consist

solely of Unofficial Members.

The ir membership i s divided

approximately 2:1 between elected and appointed members.

11.

The Urban Council is a statutory body charged with

responsibility for providing municipal services in the main urban

areas. Members of the Urban Council attend meetings of the Urban

District Boards to provide link with the district consultative

a

CONFIDENTIAL