TNAG-0201-FCO40-237-Local-government-reforms-1969 — Page 109

City District Officers Scheme

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that year, the Urban Council and the Heung Yee Kuk were given a summary of Mr. Dickinson's recommendations (copy attached) and were

asked for their comments on it. The recommendations, which are

designed to produce interim measures for early implementation, do not

imply the rejection of some of the wider proposals canvassed in the Working Party's report (paragraphs 7 and 8 above). It is understood that the comments of the Urban Council and the Heung Yee Kuk have

now been received by the Hong Kong Government but we have not as yet

been officially informed to this effect. The report is also being

studied by those Departments of the Hong Kong Government which are

most directly concerned.

21.

It would perhaps be appropriate to mention in this context the

existence of the City District Officer Scheme. This Scheme, which was inaugurated at the beginning of 1968, 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 operate. The Scheme is not seen as in any way a substitute for the development of a system of local administration; but clearly

it could contribute greatly to the efficient working of local

authorities.

22.

We recently received from the Governor 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 were 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. An edited version of the report has been tabled in the Legislative Council and

translated into Chinese for publication.

23.

The Minister has read the report with interest and wrote to the Governor in April saying that he would very much like to see

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