TNAG-0353-FCO40-389-Reform-of-local-government-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 86

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HICK 1873

17

Wednesday, March 1, 1972

PROPOSALS ON WHITE PAPER ON URBAN COUNCIL

Target Date April 1, 1973

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The Colonial Secretary, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, speaking on the

White Paper on the future of the Urban Council at today's meeting of the

Legislative Council, said that "the time for debate has now passed and

the time for action has now arrived."

Sir Hugh said that the White Paper, tabled in the Legislative Council

in October last year, had had a prolonged period of gestation and during

that period a great divergence of views had been expressed.

"However, in the end, and with reservations on some particular

points, there has been a sufficient degree of acquiescence in the proposals

put forward in the White Paper to enable the great deal of detailed work,

which is necessary before its proposals can be put into effect, to be

started," he said.

The Colonial Secretary said the target date for putting into effect

of the proposals made was April 1 next year and "before then a great deal

of administrative settlement of points of detail, and a great deal of

financial planning has to be done, and financial details settled."

He said he and Council members regarded the hitting of the target

date as a must and every necessary priority would be given to the work.

/Sir Hugh

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