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20. THE NEW STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND INCREASING PUBLIC INTEREST IN ITS ACTIVITES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ITS WORKLOAD AND THE TIME DEMANDED OF MEMBERS. THE EMOLUMENTS PROVIDED FOR UNOFFICIALS MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE TO BE MEMBERS, AND COMMIT THEMSELVES VIRTUALLY FULL-TIME.
21. THE LEGISLATINE COUNCIL HAS A VERY BUSY AGENDA. ON OTS CURRENT SESSION, IT WILL PASS 6 OR 8 MAJOR BILLS ON MATTERS OF GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST, INCLUDING THE BUDGET, AND OVER 70 MINOR BILLS, MOSTLY AMENDMENTS DESIGNED TO KEEP HONG KONG'S LEGISLATION UP TO DATE. ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS ARE EXAMINED IN COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN THE UMELCO PANELS AND (NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) AD HOC GROUPS. THE MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE TACKLED THIS WORK IN A SERIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FORMULATION AND EXECUTION OF POLICY REMAINS FORMLY WITH THE EXECUTIVE, BUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S TASK "PS TO ENSURE THAT THESE POLICIES ARE ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED AND JUSTIFIED IN A PUBLIC FORUM, SO THAT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE MAY BE SATISFIED THAT THERE IS A CLEAR JUSTIFICATHON FOR LAWS AND POLICIES WHICH AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIVES.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
22. THE WI-DE NETWORK OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES HAS BEEN DEVELOPED OVER MANY YEARS AS PART OF THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC CONSULT-
ATION BY WHICH GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO OBTAIN, THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH INTERESTED GROUPS, THE BEST ADVICE ON WHICH TO BASE DECISIONS. THEY CAN BE STATUTORY OR NON-STATUTORY, ADVISORY OR EXECUTIVE HIN FORM.
23. PRINCIPAL BODIES MNCLUDE THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: THE HOUSING AUTHORITY: THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION. THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS CAREFULLY SELECTED TO REFLECT SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. IN RECENT YEARS, THE PROPORTION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO APPOINTED TO THEM HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASED, AND WHEREVER POSSIBLE THE CHAIRMAN IS AN UNOFFICIAL.
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD
PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
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