TNAG-0614-FCO40-762-Visit-by-delegation-from-Heung-Yee-Kuk-(Rural-Consultive-Cou-1977 — Page 123

CONFIDENTIAL

New Territories is a member of the Legislative Council, and attends Executive Council when matters affecting the New Territories are discussed. He discusses important matters · affecting the New Territories directly with the Colonial

There Secretary or the Governor, as do other Secretaries. is therefore no discrimation against the New Territories in the present constitutional arrangements.

15.

Indeed, in one important aspect the New Territories are in a unique position. The Heung Yee Kuk is a statutory body, set up under its own Ordinance. It is consulted by the Government on matters affecting the welfare of the people of the New Territories. This process of consultation is carried out by means of regular meetings between the Secretary for the New Territories and yourselves. There is no comparable statutory body elsewhere in Hong Kong. Nor is there any other area which has a Secretary specifically charged with functions similar to those exercised by the Secretary for the New Territories.

16.

In view of the high degree of integration of the New Territories into the economic and social life of Hong Kong, a unified administration is even more important now than in the past. A separate administration for the New Territories would be a wasteful and retrograde step.

I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant,

MACLEHOSE

FILES HK JOD

(D.T.E. Roberts) Colonial

Secretary

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CONFIDENTIAL