SECRET
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(c) that any announcement of the review
should make it clear that it is intended
to improve the present administrative
arrangements, that it is not connected
with the present negotiations on the future
of Hong Kong, and that no constitutional
changes are envisaged.
Subject to the above comments, the F.C.O. and Peking are
content for a reference to a review of the present
arrangements to be included in Y.E.'s Annual Address to the
Legislative Council in October.
(3)
Publicity
4.
The Secretary for Home Affairs and the Secretary
for District Administration have seen the attached draft
memorandum for Executive Council. The Secretary for District
Administration is concerned that any public announcement
of a review of the present system of local administration
may result, in present circumstances, in intense public
pressure on the Government to reveal what is proposed, to
consult, and to receive representations; and that existing
political organisations such as the Urban Council and the
Heung Yee Kuk will vigorously canvass support for their
proposed arrangements.
This might have the effect of putting
the Government in a defensive position, and of closing out
one or other of the possible future developments before the
Executive Council has decided its preferred option.
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/ 5.
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