TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 45

INSTANCE, THE CULTURAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE MERGED WITH THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPART HENT TO CENTRALISE RESPONSIBILITY-FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING FACILITIES IN THE FIELDS OF RECREATION AND CULTURE AND PROMOTION OF ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, REFUSE COLLECTION, ETC. WILL REMAIN WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TO BE RE-TITLED THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. BOTH THESE NEW DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE REGIONAL DIVISIONS PROVIDING SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR THE TWO REGIONAL COUNCILS AND A CENTRAL CORE TO HANDLE TERRITORY-WIDE MATTERS. THE NEED FOR ORGANIS- ATIONAL CHANGES AT POLICY SECRETARY LEVEL TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY, BUT HAVE YET TO BE WORKED OUT IN DETAIL.

b. AS TO TIMING, MY INTENTION IS THAT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN MARCH 1985, WHEN THE NEXT ELECTIONS ARE DUE. AT THE SAME TIME, A WHOLLY (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) NOMINATED NEW TERRITORIES COUNCIL WOULD BE SET UP TO BE REPLACED BY THE HALF ELECTED/HALF NOMINATED COUNCIL, (PARA 2 ABOVE) IN MARCH 1986, THE DATE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT ELECTIONS FOR THE PRESENT URBAN COUNCIL.

7. IF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVES AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY WOULD BE SET UP TO WORK OUT THE REQUIRED ADMINISTRATIVE PROPOSALS AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES. FOR THE TIMING OF ANNOUNCE- MENTS SEE PARA 23 OF MY TEL NO 1973.

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

ED/KO

CDD/FIED

COPIES TO: (VIA DISTE. ROOM)

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF TE COUNCIL

PS/SOME SECRETARY

PS/CEANCELLOR OF EXCEEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND

ED/PLANNING STAFF

ED/POSD

D/HD/PUSD(VR. FLOWER)

RESEARCH DEPT(MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)

ES

PS/LADY YOUNG

PSAR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIARD

MR DONALD

MR FRIGHT

SIR C TICKELL

2

SECRET

INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:

(VIA ADR)

NEWS DEPT

MR ROBERTS

WE BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS

ME COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST

SIF A PARSONS

HR MARTIN

UR GOODALL

19

ASSESSMENT STAFF

CABINET OFFICE CABINET OFFICE

HR BRENWAN -

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

19

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