resemble, are political officers. They make themselves as accessible as possible to the people in their districts, and keep in touch with all local organizations. In addition to assessing the overall impact of government policies they are required to explain these policies as well as the difficulties and the achievements of the Government to ordinary people. They do not have extensive executive functions but it is part of their duties to advise on the co-ordination of services. They are free to consider whether there should be any variation in emphasis in government policies in the districts and they may initiate proposals for new policies or new procedures when the need for these becomes apparent from the feeling of the public. They are expected to become aware of problems and conflicts and trends of public thinking before attitudes have been struck.
8. They are there to receive complaints, representations and personal problems arising from any Government activity. The fact that they have no statutory powers and no authority over technical departments means that they can be given a latitude of influence and interest much wider than any ombudsman. It is thought that City District Officers can assist those suffering from a sense of grievance to present their cases coherently and, when necessary, to act as their advocate. The Civil Service in Hong Kong is small, the territory is compact, and if representations are thought to be well founded it is not difficult to get them considered at the highest levels quite quickly.
9. The problems that the City District Officer scheme is intended to tackle are likely to arise in any urban administration where specialization and economy may lead to the fragmentation of the impact of government activities at a local level. The aim is to superimpose on the functionally orientated executive departments a geographically based advisory and co-ordinating organization in order to strengthen the ability of the Government to give everyone a fair hearing and a fair share of the services which the community can afford.
10. It is not thought that such a scheme has been attempted in any other modern city.
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