BACKGROUND NOTE
DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG
It is
1. On 14 January, the Hong Kong Government published its White Paper
on District Administration with the intention of extending the
existing means of community participation and consultation.
envisaged that legislation will be passed later this year, with a
view to holding elections in early 1982.
2. Under the proposals, the present District Advisory Boards in the
New Territories would be renamed District Boards and their members
elected on a constituency basis. Their functions would be mainly
advisory but would include responsibility for some environmental
and cultural matters. All people over the age of 21 with a minimum
of 7 years residence in Hong Kong would be qualified to vote.
3.
Similar District Boards would be established in the Urban Area,
but their terms of reference would be narrower to avoid impingeing
on the powers of the existing Urban Council. The District Management
system, already operated by Government Departments in one District,
would be extended to the other Districts.
4. There are some changes proposed for the Urban Council, but they
are primarily consequential to the proposals for the District Boards.
The present restricted franchise for Urban Council elections would be
broadened in line with the provisions for the New Territories. Elec-
tions would be based on 10 districts, five containing one constituency
and five containing two. Each constituency would return one Urban
Councillor. The number of appointed members would be increased to
15 to maintain parity.
Certain seats on the District Boards would be
reserved for both elected and appointed Urban Councillors.
5.
The White Paper has been seen and endorsed by Mr Blaker. In
general, reaction in Hong Kong to the proposals has been favourable.
Hong Kong and General Department
24 March 1981