part in the formulation of policy. In the absence of any
elected elements in the Councils, efforts are continually
being directed towards increasing the participation of non-
officials in the conduct of the Colony's affairs.
O
Last year
Lord Shepherd discussed with the Governor ideas for reorganisation and development of this Committee structure. It was envisaged that the number of the committees might be reduced, giving each committee wider functions, and that the unofficial membership might be extended and revised to include in every case unofficial members of the Executive and Legis-
This lative Councils (one of whom might take the chair)
would enable the unofficial members of those Councils to play
the fullest part in formulating policy at all stages, would enable them to keep closely in touch with public opinion as
reflected by other non-officials on the Committees and might
lead each of them to concentrate on one or more of the sub-
jects handled by a Committee and so speak with some authority and understanding of their "speciality" in the proceedings of the two Councils. It was agreed that the Governor would con-
sider these ideas carefully and in due course present proposals (it is known that he was working on these during his recent
U.K. leave).
12.
Unofficial Members of the two Councils hold themselves
available for members of public (rather like a U.K. M.P's "surgery") and the Government is providing them with a senior
administrativc officer to process matters arising from these
discussions. The Government itself runs a City District Officer
scheme rather on Citizen's advice Bureaux lines to keep in
touch with matters of concern to the man in the street.
Hong Kong Department.
9 April, 1970.