CONFIDENTIAL
4. We have received copies of both the Elections (Miscellaneous
Amendments) Bill and the Regional Council Bill 1985. The former
provides for direct elections to the Region Council (in the s ame manner as with existing elections to the Urban Council) and proposes
a number of legislative changes aimed at standardising electoral
provisions for District Boards, the Urban and Regional Councils, and LEGCO. The Regional Council Bill
more far-reaching measure,
is
Regional Council to
not covered by the
which provides for the establishment of a
provide municipal-type services to those areas
Urban Council. Its provisions follow closely those of
of the Urban
Council Ordinance, except that provision
is made for three
ex officio members to be included in the Council, to represent the
interests of the Heung Yee Kuk (which represents the indigenous population of the New Territories and has traditionally advised the
Hong Kong Government on New Territories affairs). Hong Kong see no
reason why this latter Bill should provoke controversy, except the
Heung Yee Kuk may not be satisfied with 3 places on the Council, and
may thus seek a greater degree of representation under the Bill.
5.
The Elections (Miscellaneous
into LEGOO on 26 June.
introduced
Amendments) Bill 1985 was
The Second Reading is to be resumed on 10 July: the Bill has not yet provoked controversy. The
Regional Council Bill has yet to be introduced into LEGOO, but was
examined by EXCO on 18 June. We do not yet know what EXCO decided.
6.
We shall closely monitor
closely monitor the progress
the progress of these two Bills. We also raising with the Governor separately the need for closer
liaison at the stage when potentially controversial legislation is
being prepared in Hong Kong.
are
:
HKK 011/12
RECEIVEL
JIHY
- 9 JUL 1985
DESK JAFICZN INDEX
REGISTRY
1 July 1985
Action T: ken
PA
Lo.c. Eheman
cr:
A C Galsworthy
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL