FLAGA.
CONFIDENTIAL
LAST
(11)
13
Mr. Royle
3'
In your minute of 10 July you asked for my views on the points raised in the memorandum which Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen left with you on that afternoon.
2.
point.
(There are
I should perhaps make one preliminary constitutional The Royal Instructions to the Governor, which under the terms of the Instructions themselves he is required to communicate to members of Executive Council, require him "in all cases" connected with the execution of his powers and authorities to consult with Executive Council. exceptions allowed viz. matters on which such consultation involves "material prejudice" to "Our service", or are too unimportant to require reference to Ex. Co. or too urgent to wait for their advice more of these considerations would arise in the matters covered by the memorandum now under consideration). He is also empowered to act contrary to the advice of Ex. Co. but if he does so is required to report fully at once to the Secretary of State and members of Ex. Co. are entitled individually if they so wish to have their views "at length" reported to the Secretary of State. The implication is that we govern Hong Kong through the Executive Council. This does not mean of course that we here should not discuss matters of public policy with persons from Hong Kong outside Executive Council. But it does involve some delicacy of handling to ensure that we don't rive the impression that we may be going
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:
HKK 18/6
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HKIRJA
CONFIDENTIAL