•Despite the length of time which must elapse before land is offered in exchange, landowners, nevertheless, continue to prefer to accept the promise of a land exchange rather than cash compensation. The Secretary for the New Territories has, in his recent discussions with you, provided details of a land exchange programme which will reduce the outstanding exchange commitment.
6.
You say that if the proceeds of sale of land in the New Territories are spent on public construction in the New Territories the Heung Yee Kuk would support the present levels of compensation. This is encouraging, because the revenue from land sales and exchanges is a fraction of the public funds spent on construction and development in the New Territories. This is evidenced by the letter to you dated 8 March, 1977, in which I gave details of many of Government's proposals for medical services, for recreational facilities and for other develop- ments. The programme of work is extensive and aims to remedy deficiencies, where they exist, so far as practicable, though it is clearly not possible to maintain services at an equal level in very remote areas.
1.
You state that the Heung Yee Kuk organised a delegation to make representations because it has not gained the status of a New Territories Council. I must remind you that the special position of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories has been recognised by the appointment of the Heung Yee Kuk itself. No other locality in Hong Kong has a similarly appointed body.
8.
Membership of the Legislative Council is a personal appointment and is not derived from membership of other organisations. Nevertheless, the Minister has asked His Excellency the Governor to give careful consideration to the appointment to the Legislative Council of a person with particular knowledge of the New Territories.
9.
I cannot accept your statement that the New Territories have been subject to economic exploitation by political deception. The development of the New Territories has brought opportunities of an improved life to a great many people, during a period in which the population of Hong Kong has risen enormously and Hong Kong has had to change from an entrepot port into an industrial society. It is beyond argument that the standard of living of the inhabitants of all parts of the territory has risen substantially in the past twenty years.
The Appeal for Social Reforms
10.
The growing size of New Territories townships requires adjustments to the local responsibility of District Officers. The reasons for this, in Tsuen Wan, were clearly pointed out in my letter of 8 March. It is necessary for the Government to consult as wide a range of people as possible, so that its policies are acceptable to and under- stood by the population as a whole.
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