SECRET
MEETING WITH EXCO (7 DECEMBER)
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6.
There are 5 Official and 9 Unofficial Members of the
Executive Council (see Annex B). Lord Belctead will be expected to brief EXCO on the future of Hong Kong. A speaking note and
supplementaries are in Brief No 2.
MEETING WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILS (UMELCO) (7 DECEMBER)
7.
5 of the 9 Unofficial Members of the Executive Council
also serve on the Legislative Council, together with 19 other
Unofficial Members. The 28 Members of UMELCO although not
elected provide an outside critical element and serve as a public watchdog on the administration. Many of their questions to Lord Belstead will be on topics which will have been
discussed with the Governor and senior officials. Once again,
the future of Hong Kong will be the subject of greatest
interest. A short opening statement and information on UMELCO
are provided in Brief No 14. On the future the material in
Brief No 2 should be used in consultation with the Governor.
MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND HEUNG YEE KUK
8.
Elections for District Boards were held for the first
time in March in the New Territories and in September in the
urban area. The turnout was encouraging. (These were the
first elections in Hong Kong held on a wide franchise.)
District Boards consist of Government officials, elected
members, appointed Unofficials and members of the Urban Council
(in the urban area) or rural committees (in the New Territories).
Their terms of reference enable them to advise the Government on
all matters affecting the inhabitants of their District, on the
SECRET
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