78. Paragraphs 79-96 below review developments since the publication of the 1984 White Paper, and discuss possible options for changes in 1988, in respect of each of these categories of Members. In considering these options, it is necessary to bear in mind the question of the overall size and balan of the Council: this question is discussed further in paragraphs 111-115 of this Chapter.
Official Members
79. Following the adoption of the 1984 White Paper, the number of Official Members who carry out the duties described in paragraph 74 above was reduced from 18 to 10. Experience since then indicates that this is the minimum number required to maintain the efficient conduct of public business in the Council, and to ensure that all major aspects of government activities are represented and can be satisfactorily answered for. If, as seems likely, the burden of work of the Council continues to increase, the number of Official Members could not be further reduced without an unacceptable reduction in the capacity of the Administration to carry out its duties effectively in the Council. The only feasible options for 1988 are that the number should be either maintained or increased slightly.
Appointed Members
80. The 1984 White Paper took the view that, if an element of continuity was to be maintained in the working of the Legislative Council, it would be unwise to reduce the number of Appointed members appreciably or too hastily. 81. There has been little suggestion, since the publication of that White Paper, that the practice of appointing Members to the Legislative Council should cease in the short term. The system of having some Members appointed by the Governor will have to be changed at some time in the future, to conform with the provisions of the Joint Declaration. Nevertheless, the retention of Appointed Members in the immediate future would enable the Legislative Council to continue to benefit from the contribution of able persons who represent a wide range of experience and understanding of sectors important to the well-being of the Hong Kong community, complementing the experience and interests of other Members.
82. In the light of the discussion of this issue in 1984 and since, the options for Appointed Members for 1988 would seem to be:
(i) to retain the same number as at present; (ii) to make some reduction.
Members elected by the functional constituencies
83. The 1984 Green Paper envisaged that the creation of functional con- stituencies, on a formal basis, would be a development from the previous
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