§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what methods were used in Hong Kong to inform those eligible to vote in the urban council elections of 1979; what the budget for this purpose was; and what the registration procedure was.
§ Mr. BlakerNotice of the elections was given in the Hong Kong GovernmentGazette and was supported by a publicity campaign in the media and later by the issue of individual poll cards to eligible voters. Actual expenditure on this was HK$113,583 out of a budget of HK$147,000. The final register, based on the previous register and amended by new claims, objections and applications, was prepared and published in accordance 78W with the Urban Council (Registration of Electors) Regulations.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal whether there is an electoral register for election to the Hong Kong urban council; and whether this register is available to members of the general public.
§ Mr. BlakerYes; it is available for inspection by members of the general public.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what political parties have attempted unsuccessfully to register with the Hong Kong Authorities to act as legal open parties;
(2) if he will list the provisions under which a political party may operate legally in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. BlakerThere are no specific provisions governing the activities of political parties in Hong Kong. A political party may register as a society under the Societies Ordinance, or as a limited company under the Companies Ordinance, or as a trade union under the Trade Unions Ordinance. It must meet the requirements laid down in the ordinance under which registration is sought. No political party has been refused registration under any of these ordinances in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to give more powers to the Hong Kong urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerThis is a matter for the Hong Kong Government.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish the names, backgrounds and qualifications of the presently (a) elected and (b) appointed members of the Hong Kong urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerThe information is contained in the latest edition of the urban council's annual report—1978–79—suitably updated. This has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report the reply sent by the Minister of State to the deputation of Hong Kong urban councillors requesting democratic reform of the urban council following his meeting with them on 30 October 1979.
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§ Mr. BlakerThe relevant extract from my letter of 28 January is as follows
Since our meeting on 30 October 1979, I have been able to discuss with the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, the proposals you put forward for reforms of the Urban Council. I am, however, still considering the question and I shall let you have further comments in due course.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the latest estimate of the population of Hong Kong; and how many are estimated to be aged over 18 years and 21 years, respectively.
§ Mr. BlakerTotal population at the end of 1979 was estimated at 5,017,000. Latest estimates in mid-1979 of the population aged 18 and over and 21 and over are 3,250,000 and 2,873,700 respectively.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what criteria are used to allow people to vote in the elections for the Hong Kong urban council;
(2) how many persons were eligible to vote in the last elections to the Hong Kong urban council; how many were registered to vote; and how many voted;
(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the powers and responsibilities of the Hong Kong urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7 February.—[Vol. 978, c.309.]
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what representations the Hong Kong Government have received from bodies requesting democratic reform of the urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7 February—[Vol. 978, c.309.] No new representations have been received.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government have any plans to return housing matters to the urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerNo.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government have made any decision to lower the age for voters to the urban council to 18 years of age.
80W
§ Mr. BlakerNo.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal, following the reply given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange by the Minister of State on 7 February, why estimates were given instead of actual figures for the size of the urban council electorate in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. BlakerThe size can only be estimated since the total number of adults who fall within one or more of the multiplicity of categories set out in the first schedule to the Urban Council Ordinance, and would thus be eligible to register to vote cannot be more precisely determined.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy seal if he has any plans to visit Hong Kong to meet the urban council.
§ Mr. BlakerMy right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Hong Kong at present.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if either the Chinese Communist Party, or the Chinese Nationalist Party (Koumintang) operate legally in Hong Kong; and, if so, in what way.
§ Mr. BlakerNeither party is registered in Hong Kong.