TNAG-0106-FCO40-142-Proposals-to-appoint-an-Ombudsman-1969 — Page 155

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Establishment Machinery

In the absence of any elected representation in the central councils of Government, Hong Kong Government are well aware of the importance of providing ways and means of enabling the people

Cave Colony of Hong Kong to lodge their complaints and to make known their views on the administration of the

Colony's affairs. In addition to the traditional

arrangements which exist in any dependent territory for dealing with grievances and complaints from members of the public (e.g. the standard system of Questions in the Legislative Council; petitions to the Governor and to the Secretary of State; letters or oral complaints to the Colonial Secretary, to the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, to the District Offices in the New Territories, and to Heads of Government Departments) the following machinery has been in existence in Hong Kong for some time:

(1) the "U.M.E.L.C.O." Office. This is an Office with a full-time secretary where members of the public can bring complaints before Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils;

The

(2) the "Ward System" of the Urban Council whereby members of that Council set aside specified periods during which they receive complaints from members of the public. system has worked well and is popular;

(3) the public enquiry service through which people can ascertain their rights;

(4) the Advisory Committee on Corruption to which complaints can be made;

(5) the City District Officers scheme.

This is a recent organisation which was intufted early in 1968. It resulted from the Government's continuing efforts to ensure that adequate channels of communida- tion are maintained between the Government and the people of the Colony. A brief

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