TNAG-1014-FCO40-1264-HM-Government-s-responsibility-for-internal-affairs-in-Hong--1981 — Page 14

BACKGROUND NOTE

DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG

It is

1. On 14 January, the Hong Kong Government published its White Paper

on District Administration with the intention of extending the

existing means of community participation and consultation.

envisaged that legislation will be passed later this year, with a

view to holding elections in early 1982.

2. Under the proposals, the present District Advisory Boards in the

New Territories would be renamed District Boards and their members

elected on a constituency basis. Their functions would be mainly

advisory but would include responsibility for some environmental

and cultural matters. All people over the age of 21 with a minimum

of 7 years residence in Hong Kong would be qualified to vote.

3.

Similar District Boards would be established in the Urban Area,

but their terms of reference would be narrower to avoid impingeing

on the powers of the existing Urban Council. The District Management

system, already operated by Government Departments in one 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 the District Boards.

The present restricted franchise for Urban Council elections would be

broadened in line with the provisions for the New Territories. Elec-

tions would be based on 10 districts, five containing one constituency

and five containing two. Each constituency would return one Urban

Councillor. The number of appointed members would be increased to

15 to maintain parity.

Certain seats on the District Boards would be

reserved for both elected and appointed Urban Councillors.

5.

The White Paper has been seen and endorsed by Mr Blaker. In

general, reaction in Hong Kong to the proposals has been favourable.

Hong Kong and General Department

24 March 1981