TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 186

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more directly responsive to local needs.

31 The reorganisation will involve some shift of emphasis from the Headquarters of some departments to regional offices in the main centres of population. this change is gradually implemented it will probably affect also the role of the Secretary for the New Territories, so that he will be less involved in the day-to-day administration and more concerned with the broad issues, such as those with which the Heung Yee Kuk is particularly concerned.

As

32 Regular increases in staff and other resources must be provided to keep pace with population growth and to maintain the high standards to which the towns in the New Territories are being built. This will affect many departments but particularly the Public Works Department, the Urban Services Department and the New Territories Administration.

33.

I should add that the new and flexible arrangements for compensation for resumption of land should greatly benefit the New Territories and assist development.

For

this we have to thank the Committee chaired by Sir Yuet-keung Kan, and the constructive spirit in which its official and

unofficial members worked.