TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 174

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CONFIDENTAL

(C) TO REPLACE THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH THREE REGIONAL COUNCILS

FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON (INCLUDING NEW KOWLOON) AND THE

NEW TERRITORIES. THE POPULATION AND RESOURCES OF EACH REGION

SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE VIABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS.

IN NONE OF THE OPTIONS IS THERE AN INTENTION OF ANY CHANGE TO

THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, NOR TO DISTRICT BOARDS

(OR THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH WOULD REMAIN ADVISORY ONLY).

7. IT IS MY INTENTION THAT THE THREE OPTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE,

TOGETHER WITH THE OPTION OF MAKING NO CHANGE TO EXISTING ARRANGE-

MENTS, SHOULD NOW BE EXAMINED IN DETAIL BY A WORKING PARTY.

THE WORKING PARTY WOULD IN DUE COURSE REPORT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE

COUNCIL FOR ADVICE ON WHETHER ANY OPTION FOR CHANGE SHOULD BE

FURTHER PURSUED, THE NEXT STEP PROBABLY BEING PUBLIC CONSULTATION

ON A PREFERRED OPTION. DO YOU SEE ANY OBJECTION TO A SEQUENCE

ALONG THESE LINES?

YOUDE

LIMITED

HRD

FED

PS/MR LUCE

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD

COPIES 10

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

LONDON

THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED

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CONFIDENTAL