EJ (2829)
Reference...
21
Minister of State
There are thirteen unofficial members of the
Legislative Council in Hong Kong and the terms of office of four of them expire on the 30 June.
The practice is to appoint the unofficial members of Leg. Co. for two year periods, except
the representative of the Chamber of Commerce, who is appointed for a one year period only. The terms of office of nine members plus the representa- tive of the Chamber of Commerce will expire next
year.
In the letter at (11) the Governor has
recommended the re-appointment of the four
unofficials whose terms of office expire on the 30
June. The Chamber of Commerce have confirmed that
they wish to nominate Mr. Ross for a further
appointment of one year.
Of the unofficial members, Mr. Szeto and Mr. Wong have served for only one term of two years
as substantive members, and as both are giving
useful service the Governor has proposed their re-appointment for a further period of two years in
each case.
Mr. F.S. Li, whom I believe you have met, will have completed five years on the Council, but the
Governor considers it is desirable to maintain a
link of at least two Executive members who sit also
on the Legislative Council. Mr. Li and Mr. Y.K. Kan provide this link at present, but the Governor
considers that Mr. Kan would not wish to serve on
the Legislative Council beyond next year. The Governor therefore proposes that Mr. Li be re- appointed for another two years.
Mr. Ross, the representative of the Chamber of Commerce, is recommended for re-appointment for one
year.
As the present appointments expire on the 30 June the Governor is very anxious for an early
reply.
We recommend that the Governor's proposals should be accepted. The ten seats which fall due for renewal next year will offer scope for changes
in