CONFIDENTIAL
NB.
than their numbers warrant, reflects the Hong Kong Government's desire that the Kuk should continue to play a part in the development of the New Territories.
A Member of the Kuk on LegCo (see paragraph 4)
8. While members of LegCo are not chosen on a goegraphical basis, it is the accepted view that the Council should be representative of all sections of the community in Hong Kong. The Kuk have long pressed that they should have a representative on the Council and, while not conceding the principle of geographical representation, the Governor has recently told us informally that he is thinking of appointing the Kuk's Chairman, assuming his health is restored, to the Council later this year. If the Governor proceeds with this proposal we will have to consider it formally. In the meantime, the Minister will wish to avoid any commitment to the appointment of a member of the Kuk to LegCo.
Powers of the Secretary of the New Territories (see paragraph 5)
9.
The Kuk have argued that the Secretary for the New Territories should have greater powers and, in particular, that he should not need to consult with other branches of Government in making decisions. These ideas reflect the Kuk's desire, which the Hong Kong Government have resisted, to develop a completely autonomous administration for the New Territories.
Extension of the Urban Council's Jurisdiction (see paragraph 6)
10. The Chairman and some other members of the Urban Council have recently suggested that the Council's jurisdiction should be extended to the New Territories so as to embrace all the urban areas of Hong Kong. The Kuk has always resisted any extension of Urbão's powers on the grounds that this would diminish its own authority. The Hong Kong Government have no plans to allow an extension of the Urban Council's jurisdiction.
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CONFIDENTIAL