XN000022-1973-10-30 — Page 3

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Tuesday, October 30, 1973

Commenting on the new procedure, a government spokesman said

public attitudes varied greatly according to social and economic status,

educational background, and age range of different groups within the

population.

"The use of the Green Paper procedure will provide a channel

for the inflow of public opinion essential to sound policy planning,"

he said.

On some occasions, however, the new procedure may not be very

practicable, as with Budget proposals and questions on which the advice

of statutory bodies has been sought.

'Nevertheless, there are many issues on which public comment

can be of great value to the government in formulating policy," the

spokesman added.

He was confident that the process of public consultation would

develop wider community involvement in the affairs of Hong Kong.

All government resources, especially the services of the Information

Services Department and Radio Hong Kong will be utilised to publicise

the Green Papers and to stimulate public discussion.

The methods to be employed will include radio discussions, "meet

the media" sessions and public affairs programmes on television,

The Green Papers will be summarised in leaflet form to reach

the widest readership.

Comments by the public will be collated and assessed, and will

provide accurate and comprehensive data for the government's policy-makers.

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