TNAG-0941-FCO40-1160-Visit-by-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1980 — Page 109

UNCLASSIFIED

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES : ESSENTIAL FACTS

1. The Green Paper 'A Pattern of District Administration in

Hong Kong' was published on 6 June 1980. A White Paper is envisaged

later this year, followed by legislation in 1981 with a view to

holding elections in March 1982.

Summary of the Proposals

2. In the New Territories, the present District Advisory Boards

would be renamed District Boards and their members would be elected

on a constituency basis. All those over the age of 21 with 3 years'

residence in Hong Kong would be qualified to vote.

3. In the Urban Area, similar District Boards would be established,

but their terms of reference would be narrower so that they did not

impinge on the responsibilities of the Urban Council. The District

Management system established in Kwun Tong District would be extended

to the other Districts.

4.

There are some changes proposed for the Urban Council but they

are primarily consequential to the proposals for District Boards.

The present restricted franchise for Urban Council elections would

be broadened in line with the provisions for the New Territories.

Elections would be on a constituency basis with the Urban Area

divided into 8 Districts, one containing one constituency and the

others containing two. Each would return one member to the Urban

Council, and the number of appointed members would be increased to

15 to maintain parity. Seats on District Boards would be reserved

for both elected and appointed Urban Councillors.

Counter-Proposals

5.

Reactions to the Green Paper have been largely favourable,

though some commentators feel that the voting qualifications should

be tightened up and that the minimum age for candidates should be

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