ENG-1980 — Page 321

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Constitution and Administration

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HR

粉

HONG KONG is administered by the Hong Kong Government and organised along the lines traditional for a British colony. The local head of the government is the Governor. The central government is served by two main advisory bodies the Executive Council and the Legislative Council. The British Government's policy towards Hong Kong is that there shall be no fundamental constitutional changes for which there is, in any event, little or no popular pressure.

The Governor

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The Governor is the representative of the Queen. As head of the government, he presides at meetings of both the Executive and Legislative Councils. Sir Murray MacLehose was appointed Governor in Hong Kong in November, 1971, and in 1979 his term of office was further extended to April, 1982. All Bills passed by the Legislative Council must have the Governor's assent before they become law. With strictly defined exceptions, he is respon- sible for every executive act of the government and consequently exerts considerable influ- ence on the way Hong Kong is run.

The Governor is appointed by the Queen and derives his authority from the Letters Patent passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom. The Letters Patent create the Office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong, and require him to observe its law and instructions given to him by the Queen or the Secretary of State. They also deal in general terms with such matters as the establishment of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Governor's powers in relation to legislation, disposal of land, appointment of judges and public officers, pardons, and the tenure of office of Supreme and District Court Judges.

Among the more important of the Standing Instructions are the Royal Instructions, which deal in more detail with the composition, powers and procedures of the two major councils, the Governor's relationship to them, and powers and procedures relating to the passage of legislation and Colonial Regulations.

Executive Council

The Executive Council consists of five ex-officio members (the Chief Secretary, the Com- mander British Forces, the Financial Secretary, the Attorney General and the Secretary for Home Affairs) plus other members appointed by the Queen, or the Governor on the instructions of the Secretary of State. On September 1, 1978, the number of appointed members was increased from nine to 10, making one official and nine unofficial members in addition to the five ex-officio members. The Governor presides at meetings of the council, although he is not a member.