I REFER to the report which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on August 5, saying that the vice-chairman of the Democratic Party and some others would like to see an end to the practice of Legco members addressing each other as 'Honourable Member'.
Far from being intended to elevate the status of members as suggested by these opponents of the practice, the historical basis for it is to deflate and depersonalise the status of members.
In the Westminster model, followed by Legco in this respect, members of the Legislature do not address each other by name, but as the Honourable Member for the constituency they represent.
The purpose of this is to guard against all appearance of personality in debate (Erskine May, 21st ed, page 380) and a continual reminder to members that they are not in the legislature in their own right, but only as representatives.
Drop 'Honourable' if you wish, but let us not have Legco members addressing each other as Mr Chan, Mrs Wong, etc.
EDWARD L. G. TYLER Head and Professor of Law Department of Professional Legal Education City University of Hong Kong