SECRET
FM HONG KONG
SECRET
TOP
HURB_01/2
RECEIVED IN
16 DEC 1987
TO DESKBY 15140OZ FCO TELNO 4752
OF 151122Z DECEMBER 87
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
IND
::ན ༑
li/2.
711
053477
MDHIAN 0459
MIPT: REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS: DRAFT PRESS RELEASE
BEGINS
DRAFT PRESS RELEASE
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT BOARDS FOR THE NEW TERM STARTING IN APRIL 1988.
THERE WILL BE A SMALL INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEATS ON THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE OVERALL NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS WILL BE INCREASED BY 27 (FROM 237 TO 264) AND THAT OF APPOINTEDSEATS BY NINE (FROM 132 TO 141).
ANNOUNCING THESE CHANGES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID THEY REFLECTED THE MAINTENANCE OF THE GENERAL POLICY OF PROVIDING ONE ELECTED SEAT FOR A POPULATION OF 25,00 AND TWO SEATS WHERE THE POPULATION WAS 35,000 OR MORE. THE ESTABLISHED RATIO OF APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD ALSO BE MAINTAINED AT APPROXOMATELY 1:2.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE EXISTING PRACTICE, WHEREBY URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, SHOULD CEASE IN MARCH 1989 WHEN THE TENURE OF THE PRESENT URBAN COUNCIL EXPIRES.
IN ADDITION THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO REPEAL THE PRESENT LEGISLATION WHICH REQUIRES AN URBAN COUNCILLOR TO RESIGN FOR THE COUNCIL UPON ELECTION TO A DISTRICT BOARD: OR A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER TO RESIGN FROM HIS BOARD UPON ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL. EXISTING LEGISLATION ALREADY PERMITS A PERSON TO SERVE AS A MEMBER BOTH OF
PAGE
SECRET
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.