TNAG-0316-FCO40-352-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

XCC(71)20

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

ન

(f)

4

whatever decisions may be taken on the future role of the Council, it is important to seek to retain the goodwill and cooperation of the Councillors, both elected and nominated, particularly as they provide at least a reservoir of experience of a type which is in short supply in Hong Kong;

it would be desirable to give the Council one or two meaningful extra functions, provided this can be done without creating difficulties in other directions; it must be recognised however that the Council is already entrusted with very import- ant responsibilities which have a vital bearing on the health and general well-being of the urban com- munity, and any breakdown in these services could have the most serious consequences for Hong Kong;

the Councillors set particular store on their role as managers of resettlement housing (an Urban Council function) and as ex-officio members of the Housing Authority; and any decision taken should include some reference to the future organisation of public housing;

the Council itself, in its March 1969 Report, has asked for substantial additional functions, as well as changes in the Council's composition, procedures and finances;

the Council regards itself as a third level of Government, subsidiary to the Legislative Council but seemingly determined to expand its responsi- bilities to a point where it might eventually repre- sent itself as an equal partner, particularly for so long as there are no direct, or even indirect, elec- tions to the Legislative Council. This attitude finds expression in the tendency of Councillors to use Standing Order 10(1) to debate subjects outside the area of responsibility conferred on it by law, and to speak freely by convention at the annual debate;

while it is not easy to gauge the public attitude to the Council, it would seem that it is generally regarded by the public at large with indifference and lack of understanding, while some people regard it as a potential source of disorder and upheaval. It is likely therefore that a decision to refuse to grant the Urban Council what it has asked for, or indeed a decision to clarify its functional role (thereby reducing the scope for distortion of its role in the community), would not give rise to any wide-spread public dissatisfaction though it could well draw adverse comment in the Press, particularly the English language Press and from persons used to western political institutions,

CONFIDENTIAL