XN000022-1978-08-31 — Page 17

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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