MISS DUNN MADE THREE POINTS: FIRST, THE LAND COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY INTERFERING IN THE COMMERCIAL LIFE OF HONG KONG: SECOND, THE ANNUAL LIMIT OF 50 HECTARES WAS TOO LITTLE: AND, THIRD, HMG SHOULD DO EVERYTHING TO ENSURE THAT THE CHINESE DID NOT TURN THE LAND COMMISSION INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORGAN. IN DISCUSSION, DR HO ASKED WHETHER LAND FOR HOSPITAL BUILDING WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT, AS WAS THE CASE WITH PUBLIC HOUSING. IN REPLY, THE PUS STRESSED THAT HMG WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LAND COMMISSION SHOULD OPERATE STRICTLY WITHIN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE. THE CHINESE HAD GIVEN UNDERTAKINGS THAT THEIR OFFICE WOULD NOT RECEIVE REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, NOR INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN LAND DEALS. THERE WAS A REASONABLE CHANCE THAT THE CHINESE MIGHT BE FORTHCOMING ON THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT.
(D) JLG: UMELCO OBSERVERS
MARIA TAM ARGUED STRONGLY THAT HMG SHOULD SEEK TO INCLUDE UMELCO REPRESENTATIVES AS OBSERVERS AT JLG MEETINGS. ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING THE LEGCO ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER, IT WOULD BE VITAL TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE GIVEN CONFIDENCE THAT HMG WAS FAITHFULLY DEFENDING THEIR INTERESTS IN THE JLG. ATTENDANCE BY UMELCO OBSERVERS WOULD DAMP DOWN SPECULATION, AND ACT AS A CROSS-CHECK ON ANY BACKGROUND BRIEFING BY HMG. MR ALLEN LEE ADDED THAT HE THOUGHMT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FLEXIBLE ON THIS QUESTION IF HMG PUT THE POINT STRONGLY. IN REPLY, THE PUS POINTED OUT THAT THE JLG WAS A DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL BODY, THE PROCEEDINGS OF WHICH, UNDER THE AGREEMENT, WERE CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS AGREED OTHERWISE. BUT THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE AGREED COMMUNIQUES AND BACKGROUND BRIEFING BY BOTH SIDES. HE NEVERTHELESS AGREED TO REPORT UMELCO'S VIEWS.
3. COPY OF UMELCO BRIEFS FOLLOWS BY BAG FOR GALSWORTH, HKD.
EVANS
LIMITED HKD
SEAT
UND
FED
NTD MVD
Ps/MR LUCE
Ps/Pus
SIR W. HARDING
Me WILSON
2
CONFIDENTIAL
!