TNAG-1287-FCO40-1638-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 56

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17.

Plans to double the number of elected members on the District Boards in 1985 and to set up а new partly elected Regional Council in 1986, to Cover those areas not under the aegis of the Urban Council, were announced by the Government very recently. The new Regional Council will be composed of 12 directly elected members, nine representatives elected from the New Territories District

ex-officio representatives from the Heung Yee Kuk and 12 appointed members. A provisional Regional Council, with the same membership, except for the 12 directly elected members, will be set up in early 1985. The Urban Council is now considering the implications of the composition of the new Regional Council for the form and composition of the Urban Council.

of

Boards,

three

18.

There is also an extensive network of 371 Boards and Committees, which make up an important and distinctive feature

the system of consultative government in Hong Kong. Many hundreds of citizens serve as members of these boards and committees. Most of them are appointed but in some cases they are elected. Half

these Boards and Committees are chaired by unofficials. Some of the boards are

non-statutory.

Their

statutory

and

of

others

an executive

responsibilities vary widely, from tendering advice on important policy matters to the Government or to Heads of Departments to performing functions of Or quasi-judicial nature. They also invaluable training and recruiting appointment to the higher councils.

provide an ground

for

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