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provide a proper balance of facilities throughout the New Territories.
On the third point, conceming the Kuk's submission to the
Minister of State made in April last year, a full reply was sent setting
out the Government's position on all the points raised. Since then the
recommendations of the Working Group on New Territories Urban Land
Acquisitions have been accepted and implemented.
You also mentioned, Mr. Wong, the failure of Government to provide
public services and social facilities in the New Territories. I mentioned
earlier the various programes to provide an even spread of services
throughout the New Territories.
Expenditure on these development programmes is well in excess of
the direct revenue received and all in Hong Kong share in the prosperity
which the development of the New Territories contributes to our economic
growth.
Finally while the processes of consultation in the New Territories
at a District level have been strengthened with the formation of the
District Advisory Boards, it is necessary, too, that the Government
machinery in each region should be strong and powerful enough to respond
to, and solve, purely local problems; you will be glad to hear that a
programme of phased reinforcement of Government local administration in
the New Territories is being examined. Clearly it is necessary. At the
centre, the advice of the Kuk will continue to receive careful consideration
and I am sure the various committees of the Kuk, which you have organised,
will be a useful vehicle for the formulation of ideas and recommendations.
/I am happy