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completed in March, 1968, and in the summer of that year the
Urban Council was given in confidence a summary of
Mr. Dickinson's recommendations (as they related to the Urban
Council) and was asked for its comments on them. Those comments
are now awaited. Similarly, the views of the Heung Yee Kuk
have been sought, in confidence, on proposals relating to the
New Territories and Government Departments most directly
concerned have been asked for their comments. There is
therefore some way to go before any conclusions are reached.
A summary of the recommendations in the Report is given in the
annex to this brief.
3.
It is suggested that in reply to any comments by
Mr. Cheong-Leen on the above matters, the Minister might say
that he has noted with interest the views expressed by
Mr. Cheong-Leen; that he assumes that those views will be
brought to the notice of the Hong Kong Government; but that
Mr. Cheong-Leen will undoubtedly realise that any conclusions
on such a wide-ranging subject must of necessity await the
outcome of the Hong Kong Government's study of the whole
question.
4. (b) remains a possibility which the Governor still has
under consideration. It is considered that this fairly radical
change in the basis of Legislative Council membership should
await the reorganisation of local government.
5. As regards (c), the Minister is aware of the criticisms
that have been levelled at the emergency regulations, particularly
at Regulation 31, both in certain quarters in Hong Kong and in
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