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IN CONFIDENCE
Gract
Mestone
RM 179
85
HB026
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OV3/2135 (0-0-5)
CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION
Report on a visit by
STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND OTHER INSTITUTES IN HONG KONG
HONG KONG
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21 24 August 1989
GENERAL
I greeted a polite, well mannered group of students. Mr Yip tended to take responsibility for the group whilst Ms Li often took the initiative in asking questions during meetings. All of them were clearly highly intelligent and interested in the programme. They were an assertive group, however, who knew how to get their moneys worth. One felt that they expected certain standards and were prepared to challenge what they did not want to accept. In between appointments the students visited Buckingham Palace and the Queen's Gallery.
PROGRAMME
Mr Nick Reiter, Head of the Policy Unit, Westminster City Council was very clear and very thorough. He explained the structure of government in this country and the relationship between central and local government. He gave a brief history of local government, going back one hundred years, and ended up by talking about the reign of the Greater London Council from 1967 to 1986. The following topics were also covered to a greater or lesser degree: (politics) political power, shopping facilities and refuse collection, transport, hospitals and lighting. Westminster City Council is a particularly interesting example of local politics as it has traditionally been very Conservative. It is now, however, for the first time in a position where the balance of power might shift to a Labour majority. Out of the 33 London Boroughs, Westminster City Council would be one of those with a large tourist population and a large working population. Many of the buildings are offices and many of those who use the facilities provided (transport, lighting, refuse) are not local rate payers and are resident in other boroughs. Rate capping was discussed. The London Borough of Camden has overspent and in order to make money it is leasing out meters. Other Councils lease out sports facilities. In the contract a certain profit will be agreed between the leasee and the Council and if the leasee makes a larger profit than agreed the council will take a percentage. Westminster City Council puts its refuse, leisure centres and swimming pools out to tender in the same way. The Right to Buy Scheme, new home owners and changing social attitudes were also discussed.
At the Royal Institute of Public Administration we were greeted by
Mr David Falcon, Director General, and Mr Rodney Brook, formerly Chief Executive of Westminster City Council and now working for RIPA. It was an excellent follow on to the last meeting and the little overlapping that there was merely served to underline the salient points and clarify what is a rather complex and sometimes confusing subject.
IN CONFIDENCE