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members,

296 questions and 797 supplementary questions of official compared with 179 questions and 349 supplementaries in the previous session, and held debates on a number of specific policy issues.

26.

Thus the 1985/86 session saw a marked increase in the volume

of business conducted by the Council. It was characterised by

lively and at time heated debate on important issues such as the

safety of the future nuclear power plant at Daya Bay

in Guangdong

province of the People's Republic of China, and the further development of representative government in the territory.

27.

was

-

The increasingly vigorous style of Council proceedings and the tendency for Councillors to air their differences openly, rather than in closed session, as in the past, has continued into the

1986/87 session. The debate on the motion of thanks for the Governor's opening address, during which almost all members spoke, dominated by discussion of the direction which the further

development of Hong Kong's system of

representative government should take. Views were expressed strongly for and against rapid changes in the present system. The current session has also seen at the Council adopt the practice of holding an adjournment debate the close of virtually every sitting. Issues already debated include medical services, public housing rental policy, care of the elderly, industrial safety and education.

The 1987 Review

28.

In line with the commitment in the 1984 White Paper, the Hong

Kong Government will undertake a further review of the progress of A Green Paper the development of representative government in 1987. will be published, following which there will be a period of public

consultation.

A White Paper setting out the Government's

intentions, in

in the Light of public opinion expressed, will then be published. The main issues on which the views of the public will be

include whether sought

there should

changes

the composition of

Legislative Council, and whether the should continue to be President of the Legislative Council.

functions of the two Municipal

composition and District Boards will also be reviewed.

be

further

in

Governor

the

The

Councils and the

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