TNAG-1596-FCO40-2181-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 127

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3.

Governor in Council and account for them to the Legislature and the public.

In line with the principle of building on the existing

institutions, the May 1986 and October 1986 papers envisaged that

the Chief Executive of the future SAR would have the advice and

assistance of a body equivalent to the present Executive Council.

This note puts forward further thinking on the possible composition

and functions of such a body.

METHOD OF SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT

4.

It was suggested in paper II of May 1986 that the future

Executive Council could be formed in one of two ways:

(a)

(b)

5.

by selection by the Chief Executive himself from among

principal officials and the membership of the Legislature,

or from outside these groups;

in part at least by election from among the members of the

Legislature themselves.

If the essential features of the present system, as

described in paragraph 2 above, are to be maintained, it may be

preferable to adopt Option (A) whereby the Chief Executive would be

able to select as members of his Executive Council those individuals

whom he considered to be best able to advise him on important policy

matters. To give the Council the necessary authority, members might

be nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the Central

People's Government.

COMPOSITION

6.

The Chief Executive would, as now, be the President of the

Executive Council. Its membership might include:

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