TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 240

Basic Local Government

CONFIDENTIAL

-6-

15. How are we to give the individual people of Hong Kong a

greater say in running their affairs, without this starting a slide

towards unacceptable moves? I suggest that we ask the Governor

to examine ways of making the most basic institutions of local

This is an area to which he has

There are a number of bodies,

government more representative.

himself devoted much attention.

many relatively new. They include the District Advisory Boards in

the New Territories and functional advisory committees covering

the territory as a whole. In addition the Governor announced in 013 6his speech to the Legislative Council in October 1979, plans to (1979)

improve local consultation in urban areas, starting with an experi-

mental strengthening of the City District Office at Kwun Tong and

D

013/6his

a review of consultative systems in the district. At present members

of these various consultative bodies are appointed. It would be

worth considering whether a significant elected element could be

introduced.

16.

This would not necessarily be easy, or entirely acceptable

to the Governor. However, the idea would meet two of the objections

which Sir Murray has raised. In the first place, by concentrating

on the basic level a logical case could be made for restricting the

development of the elective system to that level although the problem

of relations between the local bodies and the Urban Council would be

difficult. Secondly, the system need by no means be insignificant

or cosmetic. It could bring greater communication between the public

and government on everyday matters. If the functional advisory

committees were developed at the local level some of the problem

of popular apathy could also be avoided eg local school boards

would attract attention

from parents who had an

-

and votes

interest in school matters.

CONFIDENTIAL

/17.

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