ENG-1953 — Page 263

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Chapter 3

ADMINISTRATION

The Government of Hong Kong derives its constitutional authority from Letters Patent and Royal Instructions and is administered by a Governor, an Executive Council * and a Legislative Council.* The Executive Council, which is consult- ed by the Governor on all important administrative matters, consists of the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, the Financial Secretary (who are members ex-officio), and such other members, both official and unofficial, as may be appointed. At the end of 1953, there were six official members (including the five ex-officio members men- tioned above) and six unofficial members, three of whom were Chinese, and one Portuguese.

The Legislative Council consists of nine official members, including the same five ex-officio members listed above, and eight unofficial members. At the end of 1953 the unofficial members included four Chinese and one Portuguese member. The laws of the Colony are enacted with the advice and consent of this Council which also approves all expenditure from public funds. Procedure is based on that of the House of Commons. There are three Standing Committees: the Finance Committee, the Law Committee and the Public Works Committee; and Select Committees are set up from time to time to advise on matters before the Council.

The English Common Law, together with such United Kingdom statutes as were in force on 5th April, 1843, or have since that date been expressly made applicable to Hong Kong,

* See Appendices XV and XVI.

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