TNAG-0353-FCO40-389-Reform-of-local-government-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 14

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C.S. 84

RESTRICTED

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XCR(72)166

Expenditure by Candidates

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At present a candidate for the Urban Council is permitted to spend a maximum of $5,000 in connection with the election, if the total number of registered electors is less than 25,000. For each reg- istered elector in excess of 25,000 he may spend 20 cents more. A candidate running a joint election with two or more other candidates is permitted to spend two-thirds of the sum allowed for an independent candidate. The elected members of the Urban Council were consulted and agreed that the present level of election expenses, which was de- termined in 1955, should be raised. They were not able to agree on the amount of the increase. Most members suggested $10,000 for a single candidate while some others, notably Mrs Elliott and Dr Denny Huang, who are independent members, suggested $6,000. In the ab- sence of agreement amongst Urban Councillors, it is proposed that a single candidate should be permitted to spend $8,000 for the first 25,000 registered electors and that, for each registered elector in excess of 25,000, a candidate should be allowed to spend 30 cents more.. Where candidates run a joint election campaign, it is proposed that each should be allowed to spend a maximum of $6,000 and 20 cents for each elector in excess of 25,000. The agent's fee is also increased from $1,000 to $1,500 for each candidate. The Corrupt and Illegal Practices (Urban Council Election Expenses) (Amendment) Order 1972 at Annex D will give effect to the proposed increases.

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Honourable Members will asked to advise:

(a) whether the Urban Council Election (Registration of Electors) (Amendment) Regulations 1972, at Annex C, and the Corrupt and Illegal Practices (Urban Council Election Expenses) (Amendment) Order 1972, at Annex D, should be made;

(b) whether the Urban Council (Amendment) (No 2)

Bill 1972, at Annex A, should be introduced into the Legislative Council; and

(c) whether the Urban Council Elections (Procedure)

(Amendment) Regulations 1972, at Annex B, should be approved in principle and resubmitted to Honourable Members to be made after the bill, at Annex A, has passed into law.

(The Commissioner of Registration (Mr J. V. G. MITCHELL) and the Deputy Law Draftsman (Mrs K. Y. CHAU) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

10th August 1972 (GR 10/3231/53)

RESTRICTED

COUNCIL CHAMBER