TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 67

CONFIDENTIAL

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third of the members of the Legislative Council; and the

chairmen and members of a large number of statutory bodies and advisory organisations. But this typical colonial structure does not represent the reality of

modern Hong Kong. -The powers of the Governor are circumscribed by tradition, practice and political common

sense.

5.

The Governor chairs the Executive Council (ie

Cabinet) which meets at least one morning each week.

EXCO discusses and gives advice on all important policy

issues. The Council contains a number of senior civil

servants who serve ex-officio. The majority however consists of prominent members of the community including

a substantial number of members of the Legislative

Council. The Governor is not obliged to accept the

advice of ExCo; but there is a long established

tradition that he does so. Managing ExCo, in an increasingly complex political environment, is a crucial and sensitive part of the Governor's job.

6.

As Head of Government the Governor is the apex of a

pyramid of some 180,000 civil servants. The key figures

in this hierarchy are the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney General who, between them, have responsibility under the Governor for their

different areas of Government activity. At the next

level are fourteen Secretaries (who have the

responsibilities of Ministers in other systems of

government). The Governor must be fully aware of all their major policy preoccupations and see each of them personally on a regular basis.

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CONFIDENTIAL