CO537-2188 — Page 315

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when the allocation of nominated seats is first

reviewed.

The question whether or not the nominating

bodies should be designated in the statutory

provisions constituting the Municipal Council can be

decided when the final stages have been reached in

the drafting of the requisite legislation.

(r)

Functions of the municipal Council (paragraph 31).

I agree with the recommendations in paragraphs 31 and

32 of Sir Mark Young's despatch No.145 regarding the

functions to be discharged by the Municipal Council, but I am of the opinion that certain matters such as

Town Planning, Education and. Social welfare, although

falling within the defined functions of the Municipal

Council, must continue to be subject to general policy

control by the Central Government. Much care will

need to be exercised in defining the exact functions

and responsibilities to be undertaken by the Municipal

Council: in particular the expression "Public „orks"

is very wide and will need closer definition.

(g) Appointment of a Commission to report on the

measures necessary for the delegation of functions to

the Municipal Council (paragraph 33). I agree that

a Commission should be appointed under the Commissioners

Powers Ordinance, 1886, to institute and conduct an

enquiry and to report on the measures necessary to

affect the delegation of functions to the Municipal

Council. I further agree with Sir Mark Young's view

that the appointment of the Commission should be

deferred until the Municipal Council has been

constituted and Councillors have been elected and

appointed, so that the Commission may include

Councillors amongst its members.

I would suggest that the Commission should be

/asked

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