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proposals would result in a straight publication of the report, and appropriate press statements and television coverage. Reference back to the Planning Committee would have to be announced but, while it would be difficult to explain the position in public until the Committee had submitted its revised recommendations, the very fact that the matter had been referred back would be bound to arouse public interest and lead to renewed pressures from such bodies as the Hong Kong Heritage Society for direct debate with Government on the issue. A fortiori, if the third course were followed and a decision taken to adopt the proposals as annexed in place of the Committee's proposals, very strong cirticism could be expected from the pressure groups which would have to be countered and resisted. A very carefully worded press statement would therefore need to be prepared to explain the reasons for the decision and, as far as possible, to forestall the arguments of the critics.
Advice sought
18
(a)
(b)
(c)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether:
The final report of the Victoria Barracks Planning Committee should be adopted in principle as a guide for the future develop- ment of the area, and if so, whether the Victoria Barracks Area should be designated a Special Planning Area; or
the report together with the alternative planning proposals as annexed should be referred back to the Victoria Barracks Planning Committee for reconsideration with a view to possible amend- ment of its report; or
a decision should be made now to adopt the proposals as annexed as an amendment to the Committee's proposals.
(The Secretary for the Environment (Mr D. J. C. JONES), the Director of Public Works (Mr D.W. McDONALD) and the Principal Assistant Financial Secretary (Mr A. T. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).
4th November 1977
(CR 4/4841/77)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL
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