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لمال السادا
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The Kuk's request for
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recognition as a
functional constituency has been very carefully considered
by the Government, but because functional constituencies
are designed to represent professional and occupational
groups with
territory-wide significance, it WOS
considered inappropriate to fit the Kuk into this
category. This decision, which has been explained to the
Kuk, should in no way be interpreted as playing down the
importance of its role. As I said in my letter to the
Chairman of the Kuk on 11 March 1988 ;
"The Government fully recognises the Kuk's
overall concern in New Territories affairs and
its important role in the representation of the
interests of the New Territories indigenous
population. It is, therefore, the Government's
irm intention to ensure that these interests
will be properly represented in the Legislative
Council."
Ol'd
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Another area of contention has been the decision
to introduce representative members of the Urban District
Boards to the Urban Council. The Urban Council held a
debate very soon after the publication of the White Paper.
during which many Urban Councillors continued to express
misgivings at the change. But public opinion expressed to
the Survey Office on the question of the relationship
between the Urban Council and District Board is clearly in
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>H SIS TT:2T 88. 9T YHW