TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 52

4. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S ROLE IS TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR, WHO

IS REQUIRED BY THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSULT IT ON ALL

IMPORTANT MATTERS OF POLICY. ITS PROCEEDINGS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.

THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS PRIMARILY TO ENACT

LEGISLATION, INCLUDING LEGISLATION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF

PUBLIC FUNDS. ITS PROCEEDINGS ARE PUBLIC.

5. THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE THE ONLY BODIES

WITH ELECTED MEMBERS. THE FIRST URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WERE HELD

IN 1935. THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WERE IN 1981/92. THE

URBAN COUNCIL HAS 30 MEMBERS, HALF OF WHOM ARE ELECTED AND HALF

NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNOR. IT HAS EXECUTIVE POWERS IN SUCH AREAS

AS PUBLIC SANITATION, HYGIENE IN RESTAURANTS AND FOOD SHOPS,

RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, MARKETS, PARKS AND PLAY—

GROUNDS. IT IS FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS, DERIVING ITS INCOME FROM RATES, FROM ENTRANCE FEES TO ITS FACILITIES AND LICENCE FEES.

ITS JURISDICTION IS RESTRICTED TO THE URBAN AREA (1.E. HONG KONG

ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON SEE MAP AT ANNEX A).

6. THE 18 DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE ELECTED, NOMINATED UNOFFICIAL

AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, ELECTED RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND URBAN COUNCILLORS ARE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE

BOARDS. ALTOGETHER A TOTAL OF 174 MEMBERS ARE ELECTED OUT OF

A TOTAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF 324. THE BOARDS VERY IN SIZE,

BUT THERE ARE ROUGHLY EQUAL NUMBERS OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON EVERY BOARD. THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE

ADVISORY, BUT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SMALL SUMS OF PUBLIC FUNDS

FOR LOCAL CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MINOR

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS.

7. THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, IN ADDITION TO CREATING THE DISTRICT BOARDS, CREATED A UNIFIED FRANCHISE FOR BOTH

DISTRICT BOARDS AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON A CONSTITUENCY

BASIS. ALL RESIDENTS OVER 21 WHO HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR

AT LEAST 7 YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS. ANY

ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS OP MORE MAY BE

A CANDIDATE IN ANY CONSTITUENCY PROVIDED HIS NOMINATION IS

SUPPORTED BY 10 ELECTORS OF THAT CONSTITUENCY.

THE NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT

8. THERE ARE INCREASING DEMANDS IN SOME QUARTERS FOR DEMOCRACY

IN HONG KONG OR AT LEAST FOR EARLY MOVES TOWARDS SELECTING

THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS ON A

MORE FORMALLY AND VISIBLY REPRESENTATIVE BASIS THAN THE PRESENT

APPOINTED SYSTEM. THESE DEMANDS HAVE BEEN PARTLY ENGENDERED BY

THE INCREASING MATURITY OF HONG KONG SOCIETY, NOTABLY THROUGH

THE EMERGENCE OF AN ARTICULATE PROFESSIONAL MIDDLE CLASS,

MANY OF WHOM WERE EDUCATED IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND

BRITAIN. THE APPROACH OF 1997 AND THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE

FUTURE HAVE ALSO STIMULATED PUBLIC DEBATE ON CONSTITUTIONAL

AND GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES.

SECRET

19.