TNAG-2742-FCO40-3957-Constitutional-development-relations-between-the-Executive-C-1993 — Page 6

25-NOV-1993 16:24

DEPUTY IC'S OFFICE (GS)

ine to Take

CONFIDENTIAL

+852 521 7058

P.03

In

ExCo's role is to advise the Governor on policies. performing this role, obviously desirable for Exco to be informed of Legco's and the community's views. We therefore support more and better communication between ExCo and LegCo..

Members of the two Councils already have plenty of opportunities to meet and exchange views.

To further improve communication, a system of informal regular meetings between members of the two Councils has recently been instituted. Understand that this informal system has been working well.

EXCO's decision to give the informal system the opportunity to develop along its present line is therefore sensible and logical.

[Defensives]

Q1

ExCo/the Administration has

reneged on earlier

"undertakings" to re-establish the former ÖMELCO type meetings.

A1 The objective of having regular meetings between members of the two Councils, surely, is to provide a forum for the discussion of Government's policy decisions, and for taking soundings of Legco's views on matters of public interest. The present informal system fully meets this objective. Indeed, because of its informal nature, the present system has proved effective in facilitating exchange of ideas.

CONFIDENTIAL

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