SECRET
Tin HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 2709OOZ FCO
TELNO 939
OF 2703OOZ MARCH 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
FINAL PART OF TWO
(D) UNDERLINE NEXT WORD LEGISLATION EXCEPT FOR RARE BILLS OF A PRIVATE, NON-POLICY NATURE, ALL BILLS ARE PRESENTED BY OFFICIAL MEMBERS, *.E. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ATTORNEY GENERAL OR SECRETARIES IN CHARGE OF MAJOR PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS, ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION. BILLS ARE SUBJECT TO THREE READINGS AND A COMMITTEE STAGE. THE QUESTION IS PUT AT EACH STAGE AND IS DECIDED BY A MAJORITY OF VOTES. UNTIL NOW, VOTING HAS BEEN RARE: BILLS ARE AMENDED BY CONSENSUS BEFORE OR AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, OR RARELY, WITHDRAWN FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. BILLS WHICH HAVE PASSED THE COUNCIL RECEIVE THE ASSENT OF THE GOVERNOR AND ARE THEN PUBLISHED AS ORDINANCES.
(E) UNDERLINE NEXT WORD QUESTIONS QUESTIONS ARE ADDRESSED BY
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNMENT, ON A WIDE RANGE OF EITHER SEEKING INFORMATION OR ASKING FOR ACTION. THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS ANSWER ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
(F) UNDERLINE NEXT TWO WORDS OTHER BUSINESS
OTHER BUSINESS
INCLUDES ITEMS NORMAL TO MOST LEGISLATURES, E.G. MOTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, STATEMENTS AND DEBATES ON POLICY (INCLUDING GREEN PAPERS AND WHITE PAPERS). DEBATES TAKE PLACE ON A MOTION (IN EFFECT A STATEMENT OF VIEW OR CALL FOR ACTION BY THE COUNCIL), OR ON THE ADJOURNMENT (N EFFECT A GENERAL STATEMENT OF VIEWS BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS). A COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL PAPERS LAND BEFORE THE COUNCIL TOGETHER WITH A VERBATIM RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS (HANSARD) IS
MAINTAINED.
(G) UNDERLINE NEXT TWO WORDS STANDING COMMITTEES TWO STANDING
COMMITTEES DEAL WITH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE :
(1) UNDERLINE NEXT TWO WORDS FINANCE COMMITTEE THIS
CONSISTS OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY (CHAIRMAN), THE FINANCIAL
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