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and also that it would be wrong to distinguish between elected
and nominated members of Urbco. In any case at that time the
Urban Council was fully occupied with its own re-organization
and with the 'Keep Hong Kong Clean' campaign. It was therefore
decided to invite a group of 4 UMELCO representatives in the
autumn of 1972 followed by an invitation to a similar number of
Urbco members (both elected and appointed) this year. The UMELCO
visit duly took place in November 1972.
4. The Urban Council was re-organized in 1972 on the lines of
a Hong Kong Government White Paper on its reform. The aim of
the re-organization was to reduce possible areas of friction
between the Government and the Urban Council and to delineate
the Council's proper sphere of activities. In order to make this
decision more palatable to the Councillors and to the public, the
Council was also given more autonomy, both financial and other-
wise, within its proper sphere. At the same time all Official
Members were removed from the Council and membership of the
Council now consists of 12 Elected and 12 Appointed Members, the
Council being free to select its own Chairman.
5. The Urban Council role broadly concerns environmental
public health, including sanitation and hygiene; recreation and
amenities, including the provision of entertainment; and the
provision of cultural services. The Council also had some
responsibilities for public housing but these have now been
removed from the Council with the establishment of the new
Housing Authority. It is nevertheless the most important
partially-elected body in Hong Kong and is somewhat status-
conscious.
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