TNAG-0106-FCO40-142-Proposals-to-appoint-an-Ombudsman-1969 — Page 183

FLAGH

60063049 58855

Hansard Volume 745 No.188 Cols. 1784 -1792

I Hansard Volume 746 No. 191. Col. 26

Hansard Volume 767 No. 146 Cols. 1277 to 1278

) All these

references

}

are to the ) subject of

constitutional development in Hong Kong. See Paras 7-9 below

NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES

Constitutional Difficulties

The constitution of the Colony presents certain difficulties.

In the absence of any elected element in the legislature the need

arises to devise an adequate system for sifting complaints before they

are referred to an Ombudsman. This and other difficulties require very

careful examination.

Existing Machinery

2. In the absence of any elected representation in the central councils of the Government, certain schemes have been in existence for

some time to ensure that members of the public have an opportunity of

making known their views on the conduct of public affairs in the

Colony; and that any grievances that they may have are properly

investigated.

3. These schemes, which are in addition to the normal channels of

communication through the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs and District

Offices, include;-

(a) an office which is staffed with a full time secretary,

(b)

where members of the public can bring their views and

complaints to the notice of unofficial members of the

Executive and Legislative Councils.

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.

/City District