III.
CONFIDEN TIAL
REPRESEN TA TIVE GOVERNMEN T
15.
For a number of years the Hong Kong Government has been
working to develop in Hong Kong a government structure based
which at all levels would be
securely up on existing
institutions
both responsive to the needs of a rapidly developing society and
appropriate for the main tenance of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. Her Majesty's Government, who of course
remain
ultimately responsible for the administation of Hong Kong, have throughent given their
and support to this process.
agreement
agreed
16.
District Boards
and
While a representative system of locally elected elders
councils serving the indigenous population of the New Territories,
under the umbrella of the Heung Yee Kuk, had existed for many years,
the Hong Kong Government, in the late 1970s, s ought to introduce
more broadly based popular participation in government at the
district level, partly in order to fill the gap in consultation
between the government and the residents of the New Towns.
Following a trial period with District Advisory Boards in the 8
administrative districts in the
New Territories, and City District
Committees in the 10 urban districts, District Boards in the New
Territories became statutory bodies in April 1982. Urban District
Boards became statutory six months later. The Boards' membership
comprised members elected by constituencies, appointed unofficial
members, government officials and either Urban Councillors or
chairmen of New Territories rural committees.
advisory role, with some responsibility
district affairs.
for
They had mainly an
the management of
17.
In 1984 the Hong
sta tus of the
representative
Kong Government announced that the
District Boards was to be strengthened
by increasing the size of the elected element. Elections in March
1985 returned 237 elected members, an increase of 105 from 132.
There are now 369 unofficial members in 19 District Boards; each
Board elects its Own Chairman; and there are no longer any official
members.
!
6
CONFIDEN TIAL