TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 174

CONFIDENTIAL

(v)

our exchanges with the Chinese Government:

(vi)

the outlook.

2.

The Sub-Committee is invited to note progress. No decisions

need be taken at this stage.

Background

3.

In Hong Kong's three-tier government structure the central organs of government are the Executive and Legislative Councils. .he Executive Council, the highest policy-making body in the territory, at present comprises 4 ex officio members and 13 members appointed by the Governor of whom two are officials. Until 1985 the

Legislative Council likewise consisted of ex-officio members and

appointed members. The second-tier bodies, the Urban and Regional

Councils, have their own budgets and a range of statutory responsibilities. Both comprise appointed and elected members. The

lowest tier of local government is the District Boards, which play

an important advisory role but have no executive authority. Approximately two-thirds of District Board members are now directly

elected and one third appointed.

The 1984 Green and White Papers

4.

The purpose of the 1984 Green Paper was to propose ways of

extending the structure of representative government So as to

embrace the central organs of government. One of its stated aims

was to make the government "more directly accountable to the people

of Hong Kong".

5.

1984.

The Green Paper was approved by the Sub-Committee on 28 June The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary subsequently reported

to the Sub-Committee on 8 November 1984 on the outcome of public

consultation on the Green Paper. The main change then agreed by

Ministers and announced in the White Paper was that the composition

of the Legislative Council should be altered:

CONFIDENTIAL