TNAG-1440-FCO40-1924-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 119

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receiving representations from public groups and members of the

public.

19.

UMELCO has for the 1985 session formed 21 panels, which meets

regularly with senior civil servants to cover programme areas, such as education, manpower, health, welfare, the civil service, housing, trade, industry, transport and public relations.

20.

e

The new style Legislative Council and increasing public

interest in its activities 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.

of

The Legislative Council has a very busy agenda. In its

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

the Legislative Council and in the UMELCO panels and 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 firmly with the Executive. But the Legislative Council's task is 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 justification for laws and policies which

affect their daily lives.

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

22.

The wide network of Boards and Committees has been developed

over many years as part of the system of public consultation 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 in form.

23.

Principal bodies include the Transport Advisory Committee,

the Housing Authority, the Social Welfare Advisory Committee,

Medical Development Advisory Committee, the University

the

and

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