This article investigates the decision-making process behind a part of the constitutional advancement in Hong Kong before the 1980s. I will answer one question: why did the colonial government, before and after the Shek Kip Mei Squatter Fire, entrust low-cost housing and squatter resettlement responsibilities to the Urban Council, the only institution with elected members in the then Crown Colony's constitutional system? Housing affairs were proper municipal responsibilities: in Metropolitan Britain, public housing matters were under the municipal authorities' control; in Hong Kong's port colony counterpart, British Singapore, a municipal authority was indirectly involved in such functions. It was natural and logical that the Hong Kong Government followed Britain's and Singapore's practices when it had to commence a public housing program, which was completely new to the colony. Nevertheless, many colonial officers and business figures were skeptical to such partially elected institution and the politicians therein, and hence opposed the proposal of granting public housing functions to the Council. However, their oppositions were ignored, as Governor Alexander Grantham intended to implement a "minor constitutional change" after major plans such as the Young Plan had been shelved indefinitely. In addition, with public housing functions being added to the Council's purview, the government could win the Councilors' support and keep itself informed of public opinion regarding housing affairs. Through being heavily involved in public housing affairs, elected Councilors enjoyed a rise in popularity among the people. In this sense, the vesting of housing-related responsibilities in the Urban Council substantially enhanced the elected Councilors' political influence in the colony.
Abstract
This article investigates the decision-making process behind a part of the constitutional advancement in Hong Kong before the 1980s. I will answer one question: why did the colonial government, before and after the Shek Kip Mei Squatter Fire, entrust low-cost housing and squatter resettlement responsibilities to the Urban Council, the only institution with elected members in the then Crown Colony's constitutional system? Housing affairs were proper municipal responsibilities: in Metropolitan Britain, public housing matters were under the municipal authorities' control; in Hong Kong's port colony counterpart, British Singapore, a municipal authority was indirectly involved in such functions. It was natural and logical that the Hong Kong Government followed Britain's and Singapore's practices when it had to commence a public housing program, which was completely new to the colony. Nevertheless, many colonial officers and business figures were skeptical to such partially elected institution and the politicians therein, and hence opposed the proposal of granting public housing functions to the Council. However, their oppositions were ignored, as Governor Alexander Grantham intended to implement a "minor constitutional change" after major plans such as the Young Plan had been shelved indefinitely. In addition, with public housing functions being added to the Council's purview, the government could win the Councilors' support and keep itself informed of public opinion regarding housing affairs. Through being heavily involved in public housing affairs, elected Councilors enjoyed a rise in popularity among the people. In this sense, the vesting of housing-related responsibilities in the Urban Council substantially enhanced the elected Councilors' political influence in the colony.
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参考文献
Archival Materials and Reports by Hong Kong and UK Governments
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“D. R. Holmes: Notes: Reorganization of Resettlement Arrangements.” 11 Mar. 1954. HKRS 163-3-20. Hong Kong Government Record Services (HKGRS) . Print.
“Draft Report of An Ad Hoc Committee on Housing.” 11 Aug. 1952. HKRS 523-2-1. HKGRS. Print.
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“Extract of Executive Council, Minutes No. 14 of 1953 Apr 28.”HKRS 156-3-5. HKGRS. Print.
“Extract of Executive Council, Minutes No. 31 of 1952 Aug 19." HKRS 523-2-1. HKGRS. Print.
"From B.I. Barlow to J.T. Wakefield." 20 Sep. 1951. HKRS 156-3-5. HKGRS. Print.
"From Colonial Secretary to Director of Urban Services." 25 Mar. 1954. HKRS 163-3-20. HKGRS. Print.
"From F.S to Hon C.S." 15 July 1959. HKRS 156-1-4809-1. HKGRS. Print.
"From James Griffiths to Sir Alexander Grantham." 28 Dec. 1950. HKRS 156-13500. HKGRS. Print.
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"Inward Telegram." 26 June 1952. CO 1023-41. TNA. Print.
"Inward Telegram, From Hong Kong (Grantham) to the Secretary of State for the colonies." 26 Dec. 1953. CO 1023-164. TNA. Print.
"Memo: From Acting Director of Public Works to Deputy of Colonial Secretary 1948." 23 Nov. 1948. HKRS 163-1-779. HKGRS. Print.
"Memorandum by the Financial Secretary, Enclosure 2, Memorandum for Executive Council." 10 Apr. 1953. HKRS 523-2-1. HKGRS. Print.
"Memorandum for Executive Council, the Squatter Problem." 29 June 1951. CO 1023-164. TNA. Print.
"Memorandum: Competent Authority for Housing Schemes." 4 May 1952. HKRS 523-2-1. HKGRS. Print.
"Memorandum: Reduction of Fire Risk in the Squatter Settlement, From Chairman of Urban Council to Deputy Colonial Secretary." 26 Sep. 1949. HKRS 163-3-3. HKGRS. Print.
"Minute by Gent." 14 Apr. 1939. CO 129-581-13. TNA. Print.
"Note of a meeting at Government House on 19th February, 1953." HKRS 163-1-781. HKGRS. Print.
"Notes of discusses at Government house." 28 Apr. 1952. HKRS 156-3-5. HKGRS. Print.
Report of Housing Commission 1935. Hong Kong Sessional Papers 1938. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Government Printer, 1935. 257-87. Print.
"Report of Interdepartmental Committee on the Squatter Problem." 29 June 1948. HKRS 156-3-3. HKGRS. Print.
"Savingram." 21 Mar. 1963. CO 1030-1618. TNA. Print.
"Squatter Clearance-Suggestions for Acceleration of (No. 1) From C.U.C to C.S." 20 Dec. 1952. HKRS 163-1-781. HKGRS. Print.
"Study the Constitution and methods of the Singapore Trust." 23 Jan. 1952. HKRS 156-3-5. HKGRS. Print.
"Summary of the comments of the Chairman of the Urban Council, Enclosure 3, Memorandum for Executive Council." 10 Apr. 1953. HKRS 523-2-1. HKGRS. Print.
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