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CONFIDENTIAL
4.
As a result of this reduction in the official
membership, Hong Kong have since experienced difficulty in
ensuring that official business (particularly regarding official replies to Unofficials on government policies) is
adequately handled by the remaining Official Members in
the Council. Hong Kong's preliminary conclusion was that
subject to Unofficials' agreement arrangements might be
introduced to allow policy secretaries without seats on
LEGCO to attend to answer specific questions. Ministers
were consulted on this proposal last November, and saw no
objection to such a scheme in principle.
5.
that
Upon further examination, Hong Kong have concluded
better means of overcoming the present difficul ty
would be to increase the number of Official Members from
10 to 12. The Senior Unofficial Member of LEGOO, with
wh om the Governor has discussed the issue, welcomes the
proposal,
the Governor that it is preferable
to the original proposal, and believes that her Unofficial
colleagues will also endorse it. She has suggested that
Unofficials might be seen to take the initiative in
proposing such a move to the Administration.
6.
agrees with
The Governor has yet to take a firm view on who the
two extra members might be, but feels that initially the
Secretary for Security and the
Director of Medical and
Health Services would be the best candidates.
Chinese Reaction
7.
The Governor believes that the Chinese would
welcome a stronger official
representation
on
probably
LEGOO. Peking concur, and feel that we should explain our
intentions to them before any change is announced.
124/3
HKK GHH
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 5 MAR 1986
DESK OFFICHA
/Argument
INDEX
PA
Taken
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CONFIDENTIAL
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