TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 167

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the candidate identified in 1992 to be re-confirmed in office, if he

had demonstrated his ability to take on the job, or alternatively

replaced by a more suitable candidate.

B.

3.

The Position of the Post in the Hong Kong Government

created

as

the

eventual

should be

Executive

It is proposed that the post of Deputy Governor

position for the Chief (Designate). He would fit in the Hong Kong Government hierarchy between the Governor and the Chief Secretary. His post would be a temporary additional one, created for political rather than strictly organisational purposes. The next echelon of posts in the Hong Kong

Government, those of the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Attorney General, would continue essentially unchanged both before

and after 1997.

C. The Powers of the Chief Executive

ensure that he

4. It would be necessary to define most carefully the powers of the

and to Deputy Governor/Chief Executive (Designate), was fully aware of the powers exercisable by the Governor.

(i) Delegation or Devolution of Powers

5.

or

by

devolution.

Delegation

more

Power could be vested in the Deputy Governor/Chief Executive

(Designate) by delegation

would

involve the allocation of powers with the right to withdraw them at The basic instruments under which power was conferred on any time. the Governor would not be amended. Devolution would involve a substantive transfer of powers, probably by the Letters Patent which would have to be further amended for the Governor to resume those

powers.

the

6.

Under the Joint Declaration HMG

will be responsible for administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. HMG must retain the means to exercise that responsibility. The Chinese, and many people At the same time we in Hong Kong, would no doubt expect that of us.

want to do all

autonomy

of the

we

can,

Chief

within that framework,

Executive (Designate) for

to

establish

the

all practical

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