TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 9

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Inkling Shown in the Appointment of ExCo Members

!**”

One can check the trend of appointments to the Executive Council

to see if this view tallies with the truth. Maria TAM has already been

the Chairperson of the Transport Advisory Committee; the newly-appointed

CHIU Hin-kwong is the Chairman of the Medical Development Advisory

Committee. Likewise, Daniel TSE may also take a similar position in the

education field. Further development in this trend may follow.

Critics Turn into Officials

First of all,

This development is not without difficulty.

Unofficial ExCo members will have to face the change of role from critics

and regulators of government policies to officials. This may not be a

readily acceptable change for elected members. On the other hand, when Unofficial Leg Co members are appointed ExCo members, their image will change sooner or later as firstly, they have to observe the confidentiality rule, and secondly, they cannot avoid speaking in defence of government policies because they have also taken part in making the decisions. An obvious example is Maria TAM, who, being both an xCo member and a Leg Co member, finds herself in a very difficult position.

There is another problem.

If the Leg Co member who is appointed is an elected one, what happens if he is not selected in the next Leg Co election? Obviously, those selected for appointment to the Executive Council must have a "high possibility of being re-elected". Whether this is successful or not hinges on the foresight of those who appoint them.

This system can indeed be implemented without making amendments to the existing legislation. Still, careful judgements have to be made to see if the needs of all parties are satisfied.

SARANA S HRIGE VREDARONE (S