Members increase paper load

THE last legislative year saw a record number of 3,830 discussion, research or information papers being issued by the former OMELCO office.

The surge came after the introduction of directly-elected members into the law-making body.

The number of legislators' speeches being processed and press briefings organised was also the highest in recent years.

Despite the increase in workload, the estimated expenditure for the now Office of Members of the Legislative Council next year is $50 million which represents a drop of 6.5 per cent compared to this year's revised estimate.

This is mainly because no provision has been made for the Legco's London Office, pending a review of its future need.

In the last legislative year, there were 3,830 papers issued, representing a 40 per cent jump compared to the previous two years.

Press briefings, interviews and conference organised by the office also more than doubled - 553 compared to 257 and 273 in the previous two years.

The number of legislators' speeches processed last year was 1,167 - almost twice that of 1990-91 and triple that of 1989-90.