SECRET
HRB Oill.
01: (3)
111611
MDHIAN 2124
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 04090OZ FCO TELNO 4
OF 2 JANUARY 88
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
MY 2ND IPT:
CHAPTER II
15 JAN 1988
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT:
WHITE PAPER
THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
12. THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS EVOLVED GRADUALLY OVER THE YEARS. IT CONSISTS OF THREE SEPARATE BUT INTER-CONNECTED TIERS AT DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND CENTRAL LEVEL.
:
13. EACH TIER HAS ITS OWN ROLE. AT DISTRICT LEVEL, THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS ARE ADVISORY BODIES CONCERNED WITH LOCAL MATTERS AFFECTING THE DAILY LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR DISTRICTS. AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS (THE TWO QUOTE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS UNQUOTE) ARE STATUTORY, FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS BODIES WITH EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC HEALTH, CULTURAL AND RECRETATION SERVICES IN THEIR REGIONS. AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENACTS LAWS, CONTROLS PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, PROVIDES ADVICE ON GOVERNMENT POLICY AND MONITORS ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
·
14 THE DISTRICT BOARDS CONSIST MAINLY OF MEMBERS DIRECTLY ELECTED BY CONSTITUENCIES WITH ABOUT 25,000 RESIDENTS FOR EACH MEMBER. ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THEIR MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH PUBLIC OPINION IN THEIR DISTRICTS THOROUGH CONTACTS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID
COMMITTEES.
•
15 THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ALSO INCLUDE DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS. CONSTITUENCIES ARE MUCH LARGER THAN THOSE FOR DISTRICT BOARDS,
WITH ABOUT 210,000 RESIDENTS FOR EACH ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER. HALF THE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED, AND THE OTHER HALF APPOINTED. THE REGIONAL COUNCIL S COMPOSITION IS MORE COMPLICATED. ONE-THIRD (TWELVE MEMBERS) ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED. NINE ARE INDIRECTLY ELECTED, ONE FROM EACH DISTRICT BOARD IN THE REGION. THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK ARE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, PROVIDING A DIRECT LINK WITH THE INDIGENOUS
PAGE
SECRET
1
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.