asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the names of political parties involved in the recent urban council elections in Hong Kong.

Two political parties were involved in the recent urban council elections in Hong Kong: the Reform Club and the Civic Association, which put up five and four candidates, respectively. There was also one independent candidate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated population of Hong Kong over 18 years old; how many people have the franchise to vote in urban council elections; how many voted in the urban elections; what was the percentage of votes cast for those with voting rights; and how these figures compare with the adult population in the Colony.

The estimated population of Hong Kong over 18 years old is 2,752,590. The qualifying age for voting in elections to the urban council is 21 and it is estimated that there are 2,451,360 persons of this age or over. Of this number, an estimated 400,000 are eligible to register as voters in urban council elections. The number that actually registered for the recent elections was 37,174 and the number that voted was 7,308—or approximately 1·8 per cent. of those estimated as qualifying to vote and approximately 0·3 per cent. of the estimated population over 21.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the franchise for the urban council elections in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

The urban council franchise requires voters to be over 21, resident in Hong Kong for three years and qualified under a broad range of categories, including regular taxpayers, ratepayers, school certificate holders, civil servants, teachers and members of various specified professions. There are at present no plans to extend the franchise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the names of candidates in the recent urban council elections in Hong Kong, together with the votes polled and percentage of votes cast for each candidate.

The candidates in the recent elections and the numbers of the votes each received were as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which candidate received the highest number of votes in the urban council elections on 1975 and 1976; and what was the percentage of votes cast for the candidates.

Elections are held every second year and there was no election in 1976. In 1975 the highest number of votes was cast for Mrs. Elsie Elliot who received 8,886 out of a total of 49,474 valid votes cast by 10,903 voters—or approximately 18 per cent. of the vote. Each voter may vote for up to six candidates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the names and occupations of members of the urban council of Hong Kong and the year in which they were first elected.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the limit on candidates' election expenses in urban council elections in Hong Kong; and what accounting system is used to check that no candidate exceeds the limit.

Permitted expenses are based on the number of registered voters. This year they were HK$11,652·20 for single candidates and HK$8,434·80 for joint candidates. Candidates must submit, within 28 days of the election, a declaration of election expenses which has been certified as a true record before a notary public or similar official.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the functions and powers of the urban council in Hong Kong; and if there are any plans to widen its powers.

The urban council is responsible for a number of activities in the urban areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon. These include open spaces and parks, public entertainment and sports competitions, libraries and museums, food hygiene, licensing of food premises and cleansing and refuse disposal services. There are no plans at present to widen its powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any plans to extend the franchise for the urban council elections in Hong Kong.

I refer to the reply I have given to another of my hon. Friend's Questions today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of the Urban District Council of Hong Kong are elected; and how many are appointed by the Governor.

Twelve members of the Hong Kong Urban Council are elected and 12 are appointed by the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenses and assistance are given to members of the Hong Kong Urban Council to enable them to carry out their duties.

Urban council members are entitled to monthly allowances of up to HK$4,000 towards out of pocket expenses incurred on council business. They are also provided with ward office facilities and clerical assistance and the urban council secretariat helps members generally in performing their duties.