TNAG-0316-FCO40-352-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 80

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London S.W.1

CONTIDENTIAL

SAVING DESPATCH

HKK 18/2

(3)

From the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

To the Acting Governor, Hong Kong

18 June 1971

No. 198

1.

LAST

REF.

NEXT

REF.

THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE SCOPE FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

I have studied with very considerable interest the

Memorandum for Executive Council, number XCC(71)20 of 22 May,

and I have noted that with comparatively minor reservations your

Council advised that the proposals in that Memorandum should

be accepted.

2. It is clear that a great deal of work has gone into the

preparation of the Memorandum and those responsible are to be

congratulated. I am in general agreement with the conclusions

reached although I am somewhat disappointed to see that you have

felt able to recommend the addition of only a small number of

new functions of a relatively minor nature for the Urban Council

to undertake. It seems unlikely that these additional functions

will, in themselves, be sufficient to generate a sense of

responsibility on the part of the Council. entire agreement with the concept of giving the Council limited

but specific financial powers. It appears that this approach presents the best hope of making the Council more efficient in

carrying out the duties for which it will be publicly seen to be

responsible.

BU. D 191

are month

mißich

19.8.51

ban

his

19-7,11

However, I am in

13.