TNAG-0202-FCO40-238-Rural-consultative-council-of-the-New-Territories-(Heung-Yee-1969 — Page 25

NOTE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR MEETING WITH MR. ANTHONY ROYLE, MP

AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT 3.50 p.m. on 13 MARCH

He

The Secretary of State is seeing Mr. Anthony Royle on 13 March. It is understood that the meeting is expected to be brief and for the purpose of presenting to the Secretary of State a petition from the Heung Yee Kuk of Hong Kong.

2.

The Heung Yee Kuk (the Rural Consultative Council of the New Territories, Hong Kong) is a statutory elected body whose advisory functions include the promotion of co-operation and understanding wong the people of the New Territories; and between the Hong Kong Government and the people of the New Territories. It also advises the Government on social and economic developments in the area.

3. We have been informed by the Governor that the petition contains recommendations relating to:

(a) New Territories Land Policy;

(b) promotion of tourism in the New Territories;

(c)

(a)

(e)

(r)

improvements to New Territories roads;

assistance to farmers over training, employment and sale of produce;

representation of the Heung Yee Kuk on the Legislative end Executive Councils;

changes in the administrative structure of the

New Territories and in the powers of the lieung Yee Kuk.

A delegation from the Heung Yee Kuk paid a goodwill visit to this country last year: in the course of that visit (which lasted approximately six weeks) the delegation met the Commonwealth Secretary and Lord Shepherd and presented memoranda to them. The Governor has informed us that the contents of the present petition (which we have not yet seen) are to some extent related to the matters mentioned in those memoranda, which are still under examination in Hong Kong.

5. The petition has been forwarded, as required by Colonial Regulations, through the Governor who has stated that he will be

sending us, as soon as possible, his detailed recommendɛtions on

the matters raised therein.

/ 6.