TNAG-0353-FCO40-389-Reform-of-local-government-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 63

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CONFIDENTIAL

15 Preo

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Mr Logan

CALL BY MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN

Reform of the Urban Council

1.

162/4

R.M

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In Kaley.

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21/4

Mr Cheong-Leen will probably wish to discuss the changes in

the Urban Council which will result from the recent Government

White Paper.

2. The Hong Kong Government's proposals for the reform of the

Urban Council, which are the outcome of some 5 years' deliberation,

were published in an abridged form 'for public information'

in a White Paper on 13 October 1971. This White Paper was the

subject of a debate in the Legislative Council on 9 February

1972. A copy of the White Paper is attached. The paper makes

proposals for putting an end to the long debate on the proper

area of activities for the Urban Council and seeks to make this

decision more palatable to the councillors and the public by

giving the Council more autonomy, both financial and otherwise,

within its proper sphere. In general, the aim is to reduce

possible areas of friction between the Government and the Urban

Council and to give the latter the maximum discretion in

planning and executing their activities.

3. A brief summary of the White Paper's main recommendations

are as follows:

(a)

Clarification of the Urban Council's role on the

following broad lines

(1)

Environmental public health, including sanitation

and hygiene

(ii) Recreation and amenities, including the provision

of entertainment

CONFIDENTIAL

/(iii)