TNAG-1397-FCO40-1869-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 11

The Legislative Council.

37. The Legislative Council will comprise the Governor and three classes of members:-

(i) one third will be elected by the Council of Government Advisers from among themselves;

(11) one third will be elected by functional constituencies;

(111) one third will be elected initially by District Board members and eventually directly by the electorate in geographical constituencies.

38. The Legislative Council will be presided over by the Governor. His principal function will be to regulate the proceedings, enforce the correct procedure, and ensure fair debate. But he will be more than a Speaker in the Westminster sense and will be empowered to address the Council. As the representative of the Chinese People's Government he will ensure that laws passed comply with democratic principles and are in accordance with the Joint Declaration. He will therefore have power to disolve Legislative Council and call fresh elections.

39. No serving Legislative Council member may be appointed to the Council of Government Advisers but a person who was once a member of Legislative Council, who, upon leaving Legislative Council, was appointed a Government Adviser, could then be elected from the Council of Government Advisers to the Legislative Council. He would not be eligible for appointment as Governor or as a Minister or Deputy Minister.

40. The functions of Legislative Council will be, as now, to enact legislation, to impose taxes, to vote funds for public services, to question the executive and to debate matters of public interest.