布政司辦
CR L/M 217/77
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman New Territories Heung Yee Kuk 47 Cumberland Road
KOWLOON TONG
Kowloon
Gentlemen
CHIEF SECRETARY'S OFFICE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT HONG KONG
13 July 1977
I am directed by Lord Goronwy-Roberts, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to reply on his behalf to the documents handed to him on 26 April, 1977. He has asked me to tell you that, as he promised, he has studied these most carefully.
The Representation
2.
In the Foreword to your Representation concerning the problems of the New Territories, you rightly observe that Hong Kong has entered a challenging era and go on to say that at this time of change, "planning for social reforms in the New Territories to follow the current tide and reduce conflicts between the Government and the people becomes a principal and urgent task".
No one would disagree with this, and in the last few years many initiatives have been taken to introduce policies of social improvement and physical development to improve living conditions and to explain these measures to the people.
3
I reject your assertion that the people of the New Territories lead "an oppressive Colonial life" or are subjected to "political deception". All in Hong Kong enjoy freedom of speech and action, within the framework of the law, a situation which contradicts this unjustified assertion.
4.
The Heung Yee Kuk is a statutorily appointed advisory body on New Territories affairs. However I am sure you will agree it is important that there should also be an opportunity for the opinion of the non-indigenous people living in the New Territories to be heard. This was pointed out in paragraph 4 of myeletter to you of 8 March, 1977.
5.
On page 5 of your Representation, you refer to compensation for land resumed in development areas, From 1 April 1977, the rate of cash compensation for agricultural land in these areas has been raised to $17 a square foot.
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