FARACR
CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT TO HONG KONG BY LORD GLENARTHUR, 16-19 SEPTEMBER
BRIEF NO 3: FUNCTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF EXCO
1.
The Governor is advised by an Executive Council (known as "ExCo") which currently consists of 15 members:
(a)
(b)
2.
four ex-officio members (the Chief Secretary, the Commander British Forces, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney
General); and
11 other members appointed by the Governor, of whom two are civil servants and nine are prominent members of the Hong Kong community (formerly known as "Unofficials").
The Council meets at least once a week. Its proceedings are confidential, The function of the Council is to advise the Governor, who is required by the Royal Instructions to consult it on all important matters of policy. Decisions are taken by the "Governor
While the Royal in Council" acting on a corporate basis.
Instructions allow the Governor to act against the advice of the Council, there is no instance in recent times of the Governor having
done so.
3.
In addition to policy matters, the Governor in Council decides appeals, petitions and objections under those ordinances which confer a statutory right of appeal. The Council also considers all principal legislation before it is introduced into LegCo, and is responsible for making subsidiary legislation under a number of ordinances. ExCo's advice on matters of policy involving the expenditure of public funds is subject to the approval of funds by the Finance Committee of Legco.
4.
ExCo's role in the government of Hong Kong has become a more prominent one since the start of the Sino-British negotiations on the future of Hong Kong in late 1982. At an early stage the Governor was authorised to inform and consult ExCo as the negotiations proceeded. Ministers came to rely heavily on ExCo's
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