CONFIDENTIAL

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Hong Kong Executive and Legislative Councils.

Sir Hugh Norman-Walker told me this morning that the term of office of Kembers of Executive and Legislative Councils all expire on 30 June next and that it was proposed to re-appoint them en masse "with a gentleman's understanding" that Sir David Trench's successor would be free to make his own choice after

Sir David's departure.

2. I asked Sir Hugh whether there was any new blood in sight and he assured me that there certainly was. But for changes to be made by Sir David on the eve of departure would be taken locally by those concerned as an intolerable insult and that was the reason why this device was being adopted.

He himself

thought that at least two of the senior Chinese representatives were more than overdue for replacement.

3. He said that we would be getting a formal despatch explaining what was proposed as regards the extension of the term of existing Hembers, and was telling me this so that we could have the

background to that despatch.

30.4.70

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(x1)

(XI) AG

how 7 mon

7mon.

(L. Monson) 1 April, 1970

R&R Chhind to HERY//

खर

K271

2-

7.4.20

2.4.70

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY Nɔ.51 - 6 APR 1970

HICK 1/3

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CONFIDENTIAL

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