CONFIDENTIAL
7. Indeed, despite the fact that the Urban Council is the only
elective body in Hong Kong with executive functions, it is not
regarded locally as a genuine local Government body so much as
a functional authority statutorily charged with specific
responsibilities. But the fact that a substantial number of
its members (10) are elected, encourages the Council to air
its views on matters outside its province. The central
Government (the Legislative Council in particular) undoubtedly
finds this irksome and the Governor's proposals are accordingly
aimed at defining the Council's functions and responsibilities
with a view to confining its activities within its proper
sphere; and at removing all Official Members from the Council
so that the Unofficial Members will be discouraged from trying
to score debating points against Government departments generally
and will be publicly seen to be responsible for success or failure
in the fulfilment of their duties.
document.
8. The individual proposals are described in paragraph 8 of
the memorandum and are summarised in paragraph 15 of the same
To put them in their briefest form, they envisage:
(i) A clear definition of the Council's functions on
broad lines (paragraph 8(a)). This proposal should
be read in conjunction with (ix) below.
(ii) The addition of a few new licensing functions to the
Council's responsibilities
(paragraph 8(b)).
otherwise no change
(iii) No change in the title, franchise or geographical
scope of the Council (paragraph 8 (o) and (e);
paragraph 12(d)).
3.
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/(iv)