TNAG-1719-FCO40-2399-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 56

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لمال السادا

!

The Kuk's request for

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recognition as a

functional constituency has been very carefully considered

by the Government, but because functional constituencies

are designed to represent professional and occupational

groups with

territory-wide significance, it WOS

considered inappropriate to fit the Kuk into this

category. This decision, which has been explained to the

Kuk, should in no way be interpreted as playing down the

importance of its role. As I said in my letter to the

Chairman of the Kuk on 11 March 1988 ;

"The Government fully recognises the Kuk's

overall concern in New Territories affairs and

its important role in the representation of the

interests of the New Territories indigenous

population. It is, therefore, the Government's

irm intention to ensure that these interests

will be properly represented in the Legislative

Council."

Ol'd

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Another area of contention has been the decision

to introduce representative members of the Urban District

Boards to the Urban Council. The Urban Council held a

debate very soon after the publication of the White Paper.

during which many Urban Councillors continued to express

misgivings at the change. But public opinion expressed to

the Survey Office on the question of the relationship

between the Urban Council and District Board is clearly in

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