TNAG-1439-FCO40-1923-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 145

ADVISES THE GOVERNOR, WHO IS IN GENERAL REQUIRED BY THE ROYAL

INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSULT HT ON IMPORTANT MATTERS OF POLICY, BUT NOT

FOR EXAMPLE ON BUDGETARY PROPOSALS. THE COUNCIL'S ADVICE ON MATTERS

OF POLICY INVOLVING THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS IS SUBJECT TO THE

APPROVAL OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL ADVISES UPON ALL PRINCIPAL

LEGISLATION BEFORE IT IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

AND IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER

A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES.

8. UNDER THE ROYAL HINSTUCTIONS INT IS THE PREROGATIVE OF THE GOVERNOR

TO DECIDE WHAT MATTERS SHOULD BE PUT BEFORE THE COUNCIL. SHOULD A

MEMBER REQUEST THE DISCUSSION OF A SPECIFIC MATTER AND SHOULD THE

GOVERNOR REFUSE HIS PERMISSION, THEN A RECORD OF BOTH THE REQUEST AND THE REFUSAL MUST BE ENTERED IN THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL, SHOULD

THE MEMBER SO DESIRE. IF THE GOVERNOR DECIDES TO ACT AGAINST THE

ADVANCE OF THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS, HE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT HIS

REASONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. N PRACTICE, THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT

DECLINED TO ACCEPT THE ADVICE OF COUNCIL WITHIN LIVING MEMORY: NOR

HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISPUTE OVER THE AGENDA.

9. MEMBERS TENDER THEIR ADVICE INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THE COUNCIL'S

CONCLUSIONS ARE PRESENTED AS CORPORATE DECISIONS. NO MEMBERS HAS

HINDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR GINEN SUBJECTS OR PORTFOLIOS (EXCEPT

THE EX-OFFICIO AND OFFICIPAL MEMBERS IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREAS OF

RESPONSIBILITY).

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

10. THE COUNCIL IS NOW COMPOSED OF:

(A) 12 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES:

(B) 12 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONTITUENCIES:

(C) 22 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:

(D) 3 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY,* AND ATTORNEYG GENERAL AND 7 OFFICIAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE

GOVERNOR:

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MAKING A TOTAL OF 56 MEMBERS

-

24 ELECTED UNOFFICIALS, 22 APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS AND 10 OFFICIALS. THE 1985 COUNCIL CONTAINS ELECTED MEMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME. (''UNOFF:C:HAL** MEANS NON-CHVIL SERVANT N THIS CONTEXT).

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES.

11. THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES COMPRISE MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WHO ELECT 12 MEMBERS FOR A 3 YEAR TERM TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE FOR THIS PURPOSE GROUPED INTO 10 GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCHES

Secret

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