TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 5

Mr Dipwiddy

Para 2 below is

fact does st

Reference.........

W/36

fair appraisal.

It is pelyes will roky that Mr Chin

pspre

that Urbü should take

over education services (see

م

18).

BH Finnichly

11/7

Flag A

Mr O'Keeffe

PAPER BY MR PETER CHAN: "URBCO, QUO VADIS"?

1. In his paper Mr Chan attempts to make out a case for expanding the powers and role of the Urban Council.

He says that if this were done it would provide a viable alternative to an elected legislative council at present being called for by some persons in Hong Kong. He lists five fields in which he thinks the Urban Council should assume greater responsibility; the fire services, censorship, education, housing and transport (see pages 5 and 6).

2.

Unfortunately Mr Chan's paper is very poorly put together. It contains a lot of information he was given by the GLC, much of which is not at all relevant. There is a considerable amount of detail and statistical data comparing London with Hong Kong but he makes very little mention of the enormous administrative task that would be involved in the Urban Council running the various services he thinks they should take over.

3.

I attach a draft letter to Mr Chan thanking him for sending you a copy of his paper.

CODE 18-77

11 July 1975

Альоны.

A L Wotton

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department