TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 22

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the Minister.

The main problems were fitting the Urban Council and

the new Urban Advisory Boards into the scheme.

Mr Blaker said the timing caused him no problems.

Sir M MacLehose said that it was important to get the District Administration mechanism, including the provision of civil service support, right. The new electoral arrangements, though useful, were less important.

Mr Blaker commented that the elected Urban Councillors objected to the proposals because they thought that some at least of them might lose their seats in a constituency-based election. He was not impressed with their case.

Sir M MacLehose said that Mrs Elliott unreasonably wanted to be a representative for the whole of Hong Kong.

Mr Blaker said there was comparatively little Parliamentary pressure. It was agreed that questions in support of the Urban Councillors could be answered by pointing out that the Green Paper was primarily concerned with District Administration.

(g) New Territories Leases and the Future of Hong Kong

Distribution:

PS

PS/Mr Blaker

Sir E Youde

Mr Donald”

HKGD

FED

JNU

MAED

Governor, Hong Kong

CONFIDENTIAL