19
The Working Group's report is a report to the Government and there is no moral obligation to publish it. Nevertheless, there will be considerable interest in the New Territories and in real estate circles. Moreover, the Heung Yee Kuk members, whose appointment will have been seen as being in a representative capacity, need the publication of the report to justify their agreement to the proposals. As all the Working Group's papers including the report have been prepared in Chinese in parallel with the English versions, it should be possible to have the report ready for publication in early July 1978, the first Finance Committee meeting at which these proposals could be considered.
Public Relations and Publicity
20
As the report provides for substantially better compensation terms the confirmation of its proposals, which appear to have been leaked already, should be welcome to the New Territories public, Nevertheless, because the Heung Yee Kuk elections will have been held before the date of publication, some partisan criticism may be expected. Some criticism or comment may also be expected from professional chartered surveyors in that the report inevitably recommends a political rather than a professional solution to the land acquisition problem.
21
The setting up of the Working Group was first announced by the Secretary for the New Territories in the Legislative Council. Assuming approval by this Council and acceptance of the financial commitments by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council it is proposed that the Secretary for the New Territories should announce the new arrangements in a press statement to be issued immediately after the Finance Committee meeting on 5th July 1978. Copies of the press statement and the report will be issued to all the Rural Committees and other appropriate bodies in the New Territories as soon as possible thereafter.
Advice Sought
22
(a)
(b)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether:
the report of the Working Group on New Territories Urban Land Acquisitions should be adopted in principle and published as soon as possible;
subject to the acceptance by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of the financial implications and the provision of the necessary funds:
CONFIDENTIAL #