FCO_49_622_PLANNING_PAPER_ON_HONG_KONG_1976 — Page 94

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ultimate target figure which should be aimed at. There

is much to be said for keeping the body small enough

to be directly susceptible to influence by the

Governor in the pursuit of the policies advocated

in this Paper. The question of differentiation of function between the Executive and Legislative Councils

is,fuxkhax however, more difficult. The present

discussion and coordination of view which takes place

between unofficial membersof the executive and

Legislative Councils does much to make the Governors

task easier. On the other hand, important decisions

can be and are settled behind the scenes without

public discussion and debate. This can suggest that all views are not given adequate weight in the policies of Government. We, but not necessarily the Governor! consider that the latter considerations outweigh the

former and would advocate a return to the formal

constitutional position where the Executive Council remains the policy making body and the Legislative

Council the law making body. It would follow that

the members of the Executive Council would be required to explain policy to the Legislative Council in open discussion. The proposal above for the appointment of "members" responsible for particular fields of policy

would assist this.

to

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BUD. But even after substantial change along the lines proposed above the Executive and Legislative Councils

will be neither democratic nor directly answerable to

an electorate, and their composition will not satisfy Page 94 of 203

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7447 D073840 101M 8/74 Cr.P.C. 839/3

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