TNAG-1720-FCO40-2400-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 12

香港總督府

CONFIDENTIAL

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

HONG KONG

HONG KONG Despatch 16 July 1988

1.

Hong Kong's Legislative Council

The Impact of Elections

Summary

The introduction of 24 indirectly elected members in 1985 has changed the Legislative Coucil significantly. It now has a higher profile and a distinct identity. The Government has to work hard to obtain a consensus

(paragraphs 1-5).

2.

Only

The Hong Kong Government is a minority one. 10 members of the Legislative Council out of 56 are officials. Non-officials have the power, should they decide to use it, to frustrate proposals requiring public expenditure (paragraphs 6-7).

3.

Because of these changes the Executive Council have to pay greater attention to the politics of proposed policies. The workload of official members of the Legislative Council has also increased. The administration is slowly coming to terms with the new system (paragraphs 8-10).

4.

The Legislative Council is still very different from Westminster. But in its own terms it is changing quite dramatically. More sittings and longer debates. Bills take longer to enact but so far the legislative programme has been maintained. More spontaneity and more challenges to the President's rulings (paragraphs 11-14).

5.

Most work done behind the scenes. Bills are scrutinized by "ad hoc" groups which largely control the timing of their enactment. A time consuming exercise, but the process frequently improves them and makes controversial legislation more acceptable publicly. Important role of Senior Member, who combines elements of Chief Whip and Leader of House (paragraphs 15-18).

6.

Appointed members are often unfairly criticized. They perform a valuable role. Elected members not a unified body. Emergence of quasi-political groupings: minority "radical" group headed by Mr. Martin Lee and "moderates" led by Mr. Allen Lee (paragraphs 19-22).

7.

More change to come. By 1997 the administration must learn how to manage a wholly elected and more populist Council, probably with no official members. All this will happen at a time of unprecedented change. Important that HMG handles this situation with sympathy and understanding (paragraphs 23-27).

CONFIDENTIAL