TNAG-2213-FCO40-3179-Future-of-Hong-Kong-elections-memoranda-1991 — Page 200

CONFIDENTIAL

XCC(91)107

Councillors on the one hand and those to members of the two lower tiers of government on the other. But these issues are discussed in some detail in paragraphs 20 to 24 of memorandum XCC(91)67 at Annex and the Administration's views on them remain basically unchanged. The only exception is the proposal in respect of the special allowance for the two Senior Members where there appears to be a case to increase it to $66,000, being the total of the remuneration and allowance package available to a Member of the Legislative Council. This will be on top of the normal accountable allowance of $30,000 available to a Member. It is considered that this higher level of special allowance is better able to reflect the increased responsibility assumed by the Senior Members for dealing with increasingly complex government business in an

an evolutionary political process.

FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

12

The increase in salaries and allowances for Legislative Council members will cost approximately $26 million a year. No provision has been included in the Estimates to meet the cost of this proposal estimated at $13 million in 1992-92.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

13

The public has not been consulted on the proposals.

PUBLIC REACTION

14

The media and the general public did not react to the proposals when they were revealed after LegCo in-house discussions and during Finance Committee. Some will recognise the move as a positive step to encourage more capable legislators, which should facilitate the development of professional representative government as in Western countries and elsewhere. Political groups and candidates intending to run in the September election will welcome the proposals. Nonetheless, when the remuneration package is confirmed there may be criticism in some quarters.

15

The significant increase of remuneration to Legislative Council Members without corresponding adjustments to members of the other tiers of representative government against the current climate of austerity may draw criticism from the latter which may be reflected in the media.

Executive Council