TNAG-0316-FCO40-352-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 82

97499 St.S.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT-

SAVING

DISPATCH

To:-

Top Secret. Secret.

Confidential, Restricted. Unclassified.

The Acting Governor

HONG KONG

Type 1 +

From

13

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE SCOPE FOR LOCAL

ADMINISTRATION

1.

I have studied with very considerable

interest the Memorandum før 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 disapointed 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 the selves,

be sufficient to generate a sense of

responsibility on the part of the Council.

However, I am in entire agreement with the

concept of giving the Council limited but specific financial powers. It appears that this approach presents the best hope of aking

the Council more efficient in carrying out

the duties for which it will be publicly

seen to be responsible.

13.

CONFIDENTIAL