TNAG-0267-FCO40-303-Activities-of-Hong-Kong-Civic-Association-1970 — Page 4

1)

October 9, 1970

Memorandum to Mr. Anthony Royle, Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth

Office from the Hong Kong Civic Association

1. The Hong Kong Civic Association General Committee wish to warmly welcome

Mr. Anthony Royle and Mrs Royle on the occasion of their first visit to Hong Kong since Mr. Royle was appointed Under-Secretary of State. The Civic Association

believe that Mr. Royle has the best interests of Hong Kong at heart and will do everything possible for the benefit of Hong Kong and her 4 million residents.

2.

At the present time, there are two matters of vital importance to the future of Hong Kong which require decisive action on the part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are, firstly, the reform of local government, and, secondly, educational

development.

3.

The Urban Council's Report on the reform of local government of March 1969 has been in the hands of the Hong Kong Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for over 1 years. It is time that the Urban Council and the general public should

know:

Т.

(a) What parts of Phase I as recommended in the Report will be agreed to and implemented between 1970 19737

(b) Will there be additional elected Urban Council seats in 1972 and 1973?

(c) Will machinery be set up for the automatic registration of voters by 1972 ar

19737

Ampinene.

FA

Ank

4. The Civic Association has urged that Government should take steps to have simultaneous interpretation in the Urban Council proceedings since the beginning of this year; can a positive decision in principle be taken mow so that planning can go ahead in order to have simultaneous interpretation introduced within the next 12 to

24 monthh.

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