TNAG-1442-FCO40-1926-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 41

(b)

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for proposals

legislation

of funding

are

when Government

discussed informally in private by the Committees and Groups

of LEGCO, there are present members who can speak

authoritatively on background to the Executive Council's

decisions and on

account.

the considerations that EXCO took into

7.

The presence of official members in the Legislative Council

(whether or not they are also in the Executive Council) also provides a channel for close communications between the Government and the Legislative Council, both formal and informal. Officials introduce legislation and answer questions on draft legislation, on

policy, and on the work of the administration, during question

time, which is

important an

part of the proceedings of the

Legislative Council in the eyes of the public.

8.

The introduction of elected members into the

the Legislative

Council has not reduced the advantages of the present system to both Councils. Although the larger council has increased the amount of

time required for questions and debates, the same amount of legislation has been passed, with little

with little dissent, in the 1985-86

session as in previous sessions; the budget has been approved; and

select committees on controversial issues have produced reports containing proposals largely acceptable to the Government.

9.

It is not the case, as is sometimes stated, that the system depends on the presence of appointed members whose loyalty is bound to the Government on all issues. Its success arises from the fact

that it is the constant objective of the Government to seek, with

the advice of all members of both Councils a consensus acceptable to

the community at large on all ma jor issues of policy before introducing policies or draft legislation for formal endorsement.

t has nevertheless happened on more than one occasion in past years

that the Government has withdrawn major proposals because on

presentation it became obvious that they could not obtain the necessary degree of support in the Legislative Council or among the

community generally. Amendments, often substantial, were and are often required to draft legislation, before the Legislative Council finally endorsed the legislation, or the Finance Committee provided

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