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SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOGETHER WITH 19 OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. BY TAKING PART IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT, THE 28 MEMBERS OF UMELCO PROVIDE AN OUTSIDE CRITICAL ELEMENT AND SERVE AS A PUBLIC WATCHDOG ON THE ADMINISTRATION. BRIEF PERSONALITY NOTES
ARE PROVIDED (BRIEF NO.13). MANY OF THEIR QUESTIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BE ON TOPICS WHICH WILL ALREADY HAVE BEEN
DISCUSSED WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS, BUT THE SAME LINE WILL NOT ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATE. SEPARATE POINTS TO MAKE ARE THEREFORE PROVIDED, TOGETHER WITH BACKGROUND NOTES (BRIEF NO.14). (EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THIS SHOULD ALSO SERVE FOR THE MEETING WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.) THIS MEETING
SHOULD PROVIDE A USEFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO REITERATE HMG'S SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME REMINDING THE UNOFFICIALS OF THE ECONOMIC FACTS WHICH OBLIGE
BRITAIN TO ADOPT A TIGHTER FINANCIAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DEPENDENCIES, E.G. DEFENCE COSTS, HIGHER EDUCATION FEES, AS IN
OTHER DIRECTIONS.
MEETING WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL
11. MANY OF THE QUESTIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE PAROCHIAL AND THE FOCUS WILL PROBABLY BE ON THE GREEN PAPER ENTITLED A PATTERN OF
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION'. ALTHOUGH THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN GENERALLY WELL RECEIVED, THE ELECTED URBAN COUNCILLORS (WHO ENJOY A DEGREE OF SUPPORT FROM MPS) ARE NOT HAPPY. THEY DISLIKE THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS AND WANT MORE RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TO THE URBAN COUNCIL (BRIEF NO.15).
PRESS CONFERENCE
12. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE OPEN TO BOTH THE INTERNATIONAL
AND LOCAL PRESS. THE LATTER WILL BE CONCERNED ON THE ONE HAND
WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UK AND ON THE OTHER WITH HONG KONG'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. MANY OF THE QUESTIONS WILL BE ON TOPICS WHICH WILL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH UNOFFICIALS. SUPPORTING PAPERS 13. ACCOPY OF THE GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL REVIEW IS ATTA
CHED FOR
GENERAL BACKGROUND.
CARRINGTON
MINIMAL
HKGD
FED
SIRE YOUDE
MR DONALD
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