TNAG-0199-FCO40-235-City-district-officer-scheme-1969 — Page 72

HONG KONG CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME

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The City District Officer scheme was inaugurated at the beginning of 1968. During his visit to the Colony in 1967 the Minister had discussions on the scheme (then in its planning stage) and last October expressed the wish to be kept informed of developments.

2.

It will be recalled that the scheme was designed to provide more contact between the Hong Kong Government and the general

public in the urban areas of the Colony. The City District

Officers were to constitute an additional medium for the

explanation of Government policies and a channel through which the grievances and the particular needs and interests of specific

areas could be made known to the Government. They would, in

addition, help to co-ordinate the activities of other departments in the areas in which they operated.

Flags A 3.

and B

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We have recently received from the Governor the attached

letter which encloses a report by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs (now the Secretary for Home Affairs) on the first year's operation

of the scheme. There is little doubt that despite the inevitable teething troubles, which have been largely connected with the

provision of suitable staff, the scheme has got off to a good start

and is meeting a definite need in Hong Kong. The Governor has, in

fact, expressed the view that, subject to more detailed evaluation,

there is little doubt that it will become a permanent institution

in Hong Kong.

4. The Minister had previously expressed a particular interest in

the possibility of developing advisory councils or committees to

assist the City District Officers in their functions. It will be seen (paragraphs 77-80 of the report) that City District Officers have made a start in this direction by arranging meetings of

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study groups" but these groups are as yet in the embryonic stage

and the report suggests that it would be premature at present to attempt to establish formal committees or councils.

5.

Copies of the report have been distributed for the information of members of the Executive and Legislative Councils in Hong Kong.

It is the Governor's intention that it should be tabled in the

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