TNAG-2014-FCO40-2865B-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991-1990 — Page 24

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NOTE FOR THE PRIVY COUNCIL

DRAFT HONG KONG LETTERS PATENT 1988

The draft Letters Patent propose changes to the composition

of the Legislative Council. Article 2(1) (a) would remove the power to appoint officials to the Council, though the

Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney General

will remain as ex officio members. Article 2 (1) (b) would

reduce the number of non-officials who may be appointed to the Council from twenty to eighteen. Article 2(1)(c)

increases the number of Elected Members from twenty-six to

thirty-nine. It is intended that the Elected Members should

comprise 21 indirectly elected members (elected by function

constituencies) and, for the first time, eighteen directly

elected members.

These changes will produce, also for the first time, an

elected majority in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

DRAFT HONG KONG ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS 1990

The principal matters dealt with in the draft additional

Instructions are the making of a new provision for the

appointment of a Deputy President of the Legislative Council

(Clause 7) the Governor is the President and provisions

to enable elections to the Legislative Council to be held in

1991 and 1995 (Clauses 2 and 8). The remaining provisions

are consequential on the removal of the power to appoint

officials to the Legislative Council.

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