STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 1984
PROPOSALS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
Sir.
The Green Paper on A Pattern of District Administration in Hong Kong which was published in June 1980, described the reasons why it was considered necessary to introduce certain changes and improvements in the system of district administration in existence at that time. In particular, the Green Paper drew attention to the various systems of administration that had developed in different parts of Hong Kong, to the increased prosperity and to the greatly improved educational opportunities by then enjoyed and, by way of a response
to higher aspirations, to the need to build cohesive
communities.
Specific proposals to produce a more
logical framework of local administration were then published
in the White Paper on District Administration in Hong Kong in January 1981. These led to the formation in 1982 of District Boards, with an elected element, in each district of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.
2.
During their short existence the District Boards have demonstrated their value for, and I quote from the White Paper, "contact, discussion, stimulus and advice between the communities in each district and the Government agencies responsible for their management and improvement".
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