TNAG-1413-FCO40-1889-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 132

III.

CONFIDEN TIAL

REPRESEN TA TIVE GOVERNMEN T

15.

For a number of years the Hong Kong Government has been

working to develop in Hong Kong a government structure based

which at all levels would be

securely up on existing

institutions

both responsive to the needs of a rapidly developing society and

appropriate for the main tenance of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. Her Majesty's Government, who of course

remain

ultimately responsible for the administation of Hong Kong, have throughent given their

and support to this process.

agreement

agreed

16.

District Boards

and

While a representative system of locally elected elders

councils serving the indigenous population of the New Territories,

under the umbrella of the Heung Yee Kuk, had existed for many years,

the Hong Kong Government, in the late 1970s, s ought to introduce

more broadly based popular participation in government at the

district level, partly in order to fill the gap in consultation

between the government and the residents of the New Towns.

Following a trial period with District Advisory Boards in the 8

administrative districts in the

New Territories, and City District

Committees in the 10 urban districts, District Boards in the New

Territories became statutory bodies in April 1982. Urban District

Boards became statutory six months later. The Boards' membership

comprised members elected by constituencies, appointed unofficial

members, government officials and either Urban Councillors or

chairmen of New Territories rural committees.

advisory role, with some responsibility

district affairs.

for

They had mainly an

the management of

17.

In 1984 the Hong

sta tus of the

representative

Kong Government announced that the

District Boards was to be strengthened

by increasing the size of the elected element. Elections in March

1985 returned 237 elected members, an increase of 105 from 132.

There are now 369 unofficial members in 19 District Boards; each

Board elects its Own Chairman; and there are no longer any official

members.

!

6

CONFIDEN TIAL