TNAG-1283-FCO40-1635-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 121

HKK 011/3

STAY

7 FEB 1984

SECRET

Takert

них

6/2630

Mo Luce & cute-

Tel despick he'

Ju2/2.

་

FROM:

RD CLIFT

DATE:

6 February 1984

Frlés

PS/PUS

0N13

PS/Mr Luce

Minister

CC:

Sir P Cradock

Mr Donald

Mr Burrows

FED

HONG KONG: PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM

PROBLEM

A 1. The statement which the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong proposes to

make to the Legislative Council on 15 February, announcing changes in the local administration system in Hong Kong.

RECOMMENDATION

2.

I recommend that we agree to the statement. I submit a draft

telegram to Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND

HKK 011/3

(1983)

B 3.

My submission of 21 December discussed constitutional and government development prior to 1997 and described the first step relating to District Administration. The Secretary of State agreed

that these proposals should be put to EXCO. On 5 January EXCO endorsed them. The main proposals were:

(a) at the next election in March 1985, the representative status

of the District Boards should be strengthened by increasing the

size of the elected element; in some cases it will be double

that of the appointed members.

(b) Another Regional Council, which would, like the Urban Council,

contain a directly elected element, should be established to

SECRET

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