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The following is the response of the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, to the Valedictory Motion in the Legislative Council today (June 28):
Madame President, Honourable Members,
It is an honour to respond to this motion marking the last meeting of this Legislative Council term. Looking back over the past two years, Honourable Members have spent a great deal of time and effort on Legislative Council affairs, both inside and outside the Council Chamber. On behalf of the Government, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work of the LegCo President and Honourable Members.
Over the past two years, the Administration has always worked closely with the Legislative Council. Since the beginning of this LegCo term in July 1998, the Administration has introduced 171 bills, 158 financial proposals and more than 670 pieces of subsidiary legislation for scrutiny and approval. With the hard work and co-operation of Members, 157 bills have been passed, including 21 in this meeting. Among those items passed has been some complicated pieces of legislation or major legislative changes with far-reaching implications. Examples are the Mass Transit Railway Bill, the Chinese Medicine Bill, the Electronic Transactions Bill and the Broadcasting Bill.
In the past two years, the Administration has responded to more than 3,600 oral, supplementary and written questions raised by Honourable Members. At the invitation of Honourable Members, Government officials have attended more than 530 panel meetings to discuss and exchange views on issues of concern to Members. Almost every week, I have met with the House Committee Chairman Dr The Honourable Leong Che-hung and Vice Chairman Dr The Honourable Yeung Sum to discuss issues of concern to Members. Personally, I feel that both sides have exchanged views and have worked together happily during these meetings. All of this demonstrates the Administration's eagerness and efforts to work together with the Legislative Council.
I am mindful that the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature has been an issue of concern to Honourable Members over the past two years. I and my colleagues in the Administration are keenly aware of the importance of a constructive partnership with the legislature, and have made every effort to strengthen our co-operation with the Legislative Council. Indeed, the common goal of the executive and the legislature is to work for the overall interests of Hong Kong.
The Basic Law has put in place a new constitutional framework for Hong Kong. It sets out the division of power between, and responsibilities of, the executive and the legislature. As well as checks and balances, this framework requires the two bodies to co-ordinate and work together. It is understandable that the Administration and Honourable Members may not see eye to eye on each and every issue. That should not, however, overshadow our common desire to obtain the best for the people of Hong Kong. This is how it has been in the past. This is how it is now, and will be in the future.
To ensure our proposals meet public needs and obtain the support of Honourable Members, the Administration has, wherever possible, put forward legislative and financial proposals at Panel meetings before formally introducing them into the Legislative Council. We also consult Members when drawing up the Budget to ensure we are aware of Honourable Members' views on revenue and expenditure proposals. Whenever differences of opinion arise, the Administration has always been careful to consider your views and, more often than not, to make appropriate amendments in response to the requests of Honourable Members. On the other hand, I hope Members will appreciate that when considering, on balance, the overall interests of the community, we may not always be able to accept all of your suggestions.
In addition to the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature, Members have also expressed concern over the accountability of government officials. We have debated this issue at great length and I see no benefit in going over the same ground again. But I would just like to repeat that it will do none of us any good - the legislature, the executive, the public at large and certainly not the civil service - if we are to politicise the civil service. Whether and how government officials should bear political responsibility is an extremely complicated subject that needs careful consideration. We should not act hastily in handling such an important matter. The questions about accountability, and deciding the best way forward, will only be answered by the community reaching a consensus after a calm, well-informed and tolerant debate within the context of Hong Kong's overall political development.
Finally, on behalf of the Government, I would like to place on record my thanks for the work of the six Honourable Members who will not seek re-election to the next Legislative Council. Over the past two years, you have made a tremendous contribution and sacrifice to this Council and in serving the public. I am sure that this spirit of public service will continue whether some Members participate or not in September's Legislative Council elections.
I wish all Honourable Members the very best for the future.
Thank you, Madame President.
End/Wednesday, June 28, 2000
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