10.
CONFIDENTIAL
-4-
The administration has tended to regard the
changes made to the Legislative Council with some
apprehension. The decision-making process is more lengthy and complex. There is some feeling that the administration has become more tentative. But officials are gradually learning how to use the system to good effect. Some officials adapt more readily to their changing role than others; but all realise that the old systems could not have survived and that political development is necessary to meet the aspirations of a better-educated and more widely travelled community. It is clear, however, that some reorganization and strengthening of the administration is required if officials are to be able to cope with the new strains imposed on them.
What the public sees
11.
Anyone familiar with the Westminster Parliament. must be surprised to find that a Council which is, in appearance, so closely modelled on the Westminster system, should be so radically different in its operation. There is no party system. Members are seated according to length of service. Most of the Council's work is still done behind the scenes. The weekly public meetings are, by world standards, well-mannered, predictable and not a little boring.
12.
In Hong Kong terms, however, the past 3 years have seen quite dramatic procedural changes. The usual practice of the Council is a voice vote. For almost the first time in its history, formal votes have been called. Debates have become more frequent, more lengthy and more heated (again by Hong Kong standards). In 1986-7, adjournment debates were held at 18 of the 30 LegCo sittings, a practice which has become less popular this year partly because it has been decided to limit such debates to one hour, allowing time for only a few members to speak. A debate in March this year, about the White Paper on developments in representative government, went on for 14 hours over two afternoons. A further two day debate on the Basic Law has taken place this week.
13.
The effect of all these changes has been a considerable reduction in the speed with which bills can be enacted. Prior to 1985, the vast majority of Bills could be expected to complete their passage within two weeks of the first reading. Now a bill may be held up for months during discussion by ad hoc groups. If this happens the administration is relatively powerless to accelerate its progress. Nevertheless in 1987-88, by dint of a great deal of hard work, more bills are likely to be enacted than ever before. The ability of LegCo to maintain this high level of efficiency will be important, given that an unusually heavy programme of legislation will need to be completed in the run up to
1997.
CONFIDENTIAL
/Prior to the
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