ENG-1971 — Page 333

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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sophisticated administration; they also deal with individual com- plaints, answer enquiries, provide information and mediate in a variety of disputes.

At the City District offices and sub-offices, almost all of which are located in shop-type premises easily accessible to the public, enquiry service counters are combined with the reception facilities. The primary objects of the enquiry services are to give the man in the street information and guidance on the services provided and functions performed by government departments, to explain rules and procedures, and to supplement broadcast information during tropical storms and other emergencies. During the year the enquiry services handled a total of about 1.2 million enquiries of all kinds.

In the New Territories the District Commissioner and his five District Officers also exercise political and co-ordinating responsi- bilities, and in addition perform certain executive functions, principally in relation to land administration. The arrangements for consultation with the people are formalised to the extent that there is a village representative system. More than 900 Village Representatives are chosen from over 600 villages. Villages are grouped under 27 Rural Committees, each of which has an executive committee. With the exception of one, all the executive committees of the Rural Committees are elected by secret ballot every two years by Village Representatives. The Rural Committees execute minor works and carry out certain tasks on behalf of the Govern- ment, receiving a small monthly subvention to cover part of their expenses. Within its own area the Rural Committee acts as spokes- man for local public opinion, mediates in clan and family disputes, and generally provides a bridge between the New Territories Admin- istration and the people.

The chairman and vice-chairman of the 27 Rural Committees, with the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 21 Special Councillors, elected every two years, form the Full Council of the Heung Yee Kuk whose title may be translated into English as 'Rural Consultative Council'. The Kuk serves as a forum of New Territories opinion from which the Government seeks advice on New Territories affairs. Under the constitution established by the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance, the Kuk has an Executive Committee which meets monthly and consists of the chairmen of Rural Com- mittees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 15 ordinary members elected every two years by the Full Council. The Full Council also elects the chairman and two vice-chairmen