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among prominent members of the community (see Annex B). Elections
were held most recently, for the first time on a constituency basis,
in March 1983. URBCO's responsibilities are limited to the urban
areas of Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon (where, altogether, about three-quarters of the population live). Its main duties are public
hygiene, and the control of recreational and cultural facilities.
LUNCH WITH ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS: 28 SEPTEMBER
13.
The Administrative Service in Hong Kong, as in other former
Dependent Territories, is roughly the equivalent of the
administrative trainee stream in the Home Civil Service or
Administrative Stream Officers in the FCO. Its members fill all
posts at Secretary rank in the Government Secretariat and many Head
of Department posts. At a lower level, Administrative Officers work in a wide variety of Government Departments, especially the Government Secretariat and the City and New Territories
Administration. It is one of the very few grades in the Hong Kong Civil Service (the Inspectorate and above of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force being the only other important one) where it is still
the Government's policy to retain an expatriate element. At present about 55% of the Service are local officers (as opposed to 45% in
1979).
14. The Administrative Officers with whom Mr Luce will have lunch
will probably not press for details of the talks in Peking as they
will know that Mr Luce will not be able to tell them much. Their
main concerns are likely to be the security of the Pensions (see
Brief No 11) and whether HMG will be prepared to register local
officers as British citizens under the British Nationality Act in the
event of a Chinese takeover (see Brief No 3).
MEETING AND DINNER WITH MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS: 28 SEPTEMBER
15. 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 provision
of public services and priorities for new services. They also have the power to dispose of funds (approximately $30 million in 1982/3)
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