2.
(ii) that some members of the Heung Yee Kuk itself should
be appointed as Unofficial members of both the Executive
and Legislative Councils.
5.
This is not the first time that the question of New Territories' representation on the central councils of Government has been raised by the Heung Yee Kuk. They have raised it on two previous occasions during the last two years (in February 1968 and in January 1969) and the reply now proposed by the Governor reiterates the replies sent on
those occasions.
6. To accede to the Heung Yee Kuk's requests would involve a review of the membership of both Councils. In particular, the appointment of any members of the Heung Yee Kuk (which is an elected body) as unofficial members of the Legislative
Council would almost certainly lead to demands from the Urban
Council for similar treatment to be accorded to that body.
And the possibility of introducing an elected element of any
kind into the membership of the Executive or Legislative
Council, however it was done, would clearly have to be very
carefully examined.
7.
The New Territories are not represented, as such, on the Executive and Legislative Councils. But the District
Commissioner, New Territories, is already an official member
of the Legislative Council and is able to represent the interests of the New Territories on that body. In addition,
as the Governor points out, he is invited to attend those meetings of the Executive Council at which matters affecting
the New Territories are discussed.
8.
In the cinumstances I do not think that we should hold out any hope to the Heung Yee Kuk that their requests will be granted. I suggest, however, that when Mr. MacLehose is here for briefing, we should draw his attention to these repeated requests from the Heung Yee Kuk for representation on the two Councils. We have hopes that Mr. MacLehose will be able to introduce new blood into the Councils and he may find it possible to go some way towards meeting the wishes of the Heung Yee Kuk.
Eɣania
E: 0. Laird
Hong Kong Department
23 December, 1970.