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DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION/LOCAL GOVERNMENT
5. A White Paper was published in Hong Kong on 14 January con-
taining proposals designed to bring about greater public participation
in local government. It is envisaged that legislation will be
passed this year and elections will be held in early 1982.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG
6. Her Majesty's Government fully support the Hong Kong
Government's efforts to improve housing, medical, educational,
social and labour conditions in the Territory. Substantial progress
has been made in these areas despite the large increase in population
that has resulted from immigration from China.
THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
7. No decision has yet been made on a successor to Sir Murray
MacLehose.
IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
8.
Her Majesty's Government applauds the efforts of the security
forces to contain the numbers of illegal immigrants from China,
and is fully aware of the problems caused by illegal immigration.
There is no evidence to suggest these immigrants are refugees from
persecution of any kind, or that they will be maltreated after
repatriation to China.
THE MACLENNAN INQUIRY
9. The circumstances surrounding the death of Inspector MacLennan
are being investigated by a Commission of Inquiry. It would not,
therefore, be appropriate to comment.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
10. Her Majesty's Government recognises the difficulties caused
by the continued presence of refugees in Hong Kong. We are still
concentrating on fulfilling our commitment to accept 10,000 refugees.
/NATIONAL T’PV