TNAG-2215-FCO40-3182-Address-by-David-Wilson--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-Legis-1991 — Page 8

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5

fficials

will hold seats in this Council. In the last

session, there were ten; six years ago, there were 22. The

possibly carry

the

small number of officials now in the Council could not

burden

proposals in

administration's

of explaining the

every area, let alone

providing answers to questions put forward by Members on

matters of detail. So, in order to help this Council have

a full and direct view of the Government's policies in the

great range of

areas these cover, and to help build up an

effective partnership with Members, I will nominate other

officials to attend meetings of the Council at appropriate

times.

9.

These officials will have the task of presenting

bills; explaining expenditure proposals; answering Members'

questions; and replying to debates. They will play a vital

role in creating effective day-to-day links so that Members

best discharge their responsibilities to the public. A

structure requires new procedures. I am sure you will

can

new

welcome

the contribution these officials can make, and that

you will help in the development of this new relationship

with the civil service.

/10. Equally,

TOTAL P.06

09-OCT-1991 17:14

SECRETARIAT D.A.U.

+852 845 7895

P.03

I

ย

10.

Equally,

if

not

more

important,

is

the

relationship

between

this

Council and the

Executive

Council.

is,

Council

-

Under our system of government, the Executive

and will continue to be, the key policy-making.

an

increasingly important role

both in

body in Hong Kong. Its Members will have an important role

to play

reflecting the views and concerns of Legislative Council

Members and in explaining the administration's proposals to

you and to a wider public. This will help us to create an

effective working partnership between the administration

Council. We need to give Executive

and Members of this

Councillors more time

to consider policy issues and their

implications,

and

not

At.t

wantings to hamama cluttered

with routine business.

A thorough review has been made of

how to do this. The Executive Council's procedures are

being streamlined to allow its Members to concentrate more,

and earlier, on the essential issues.

11.

In addition, Members will, I know, wish to review

in which way

the Legislative Council itself

organised and conducts its business.

the

and procedures are

is

matters for

Your Standing Orders

you to decide

yourselves.

But I

administration's full

for

can assure you that you will have the

cooperation in the search for new or

improved ways

of

carrying out your

legislative

/responsibilities

sponsibilities.

12.

These changes

7

which

I have outlined are only the

immediate agenda. Further constitutional development will

The entire Council will then be

take place in 1995.

elected, at least one third of them by direct election.

Members will choose their Own President. The system of

appointed Members will cease.

There will be no civil

servant Members. The number of directly elected seats will

be

increased:

constituencies.

Election Committee.

SO will the number

of

functional

Some Members will be returned by an

13.

TO prepare for 1995, a review of the entire

electoral system is being undertaken.

It should be

completed by the middle of next year. Among the main

issues to be considered will be the establishment of an

independent Electoral Commission.

procedures

A Commission of this

sort could assume responsibility for regulating electoral

including canvassing rules, the role of

political parties in elections and the question of election

expenses.

/14. There