CONFIDENTIAL

2. My principal objection to the new proposal, however, relates to the presentation of the Governor's annual Address to the Legco. It seems to me absurd that Sir D. Trench should make a speech containing a programme of work for the coming year and then leave about a week later. Surely the right thing is between now and next October for us to agree with the Governor certain directions in which we wish to move (reform of the Secretariat for example and possible action on the report which the Housing Board will produce about squatters) and that these should be included in the new legislative programme which Mr. MacLehose will present soon after his arrival. If we do not proceed in this way there is a danger that a whole year will go by till the Address due in October 1972 before the new Governor's legislative programme is presented.

3. I hope that you will feel that this is a matter which we should look at again very carefully with the Parlia- mentary Under-Secretary before encouraging Sir D. Trench to talk further to Mr. MacLehose.

My Min Dear

Mr. Royle should be aware

hot

10

excited

over the

the

(K.M. Wilford)

2 November, 1970

7

of this. For myself

alternatives as some

A farewell speech by The returning Swear

but do no harm.

A speech by

legislation programe

туку

I am

I my colleagues.

would be a non. event

1

Governor

with a the new

and contrived

Would

do have

an

stirring up

artiklided

Controversy before the Govenor has at the humself (In any

went I

Cum

верс

This

that reform of the Secretariat his to be worked and on the spot by a Governor sympathetic to reform and drawing off experience for create as he thinks approprdé in the patiem Hing her clays followed in the past and or wake) On the Sther hand a speech by

would be equally harmful. My

brief

рвет

a ha

Gover

om

"Spend

son or in that the timing is CONFIDENTIAL

Share This Page