NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
Second Report (Submitted in April 1971
the
This dealt with the use of Chinese and
English languagesjoral and written communications
between the Government and the public. The
proposals which it contains have also been
accepted in principle by the Hong Kong Executive
Council, subject to certain modifications of
a practical nature.
Third Report (Submitted in June 1971)
This was concerned with use of Chinese in
court proceedings and as a language of the
law. It raises more difficult issues and a
its memorandum covering this submission to the
Executive Council is being prepared in
Hong Kong.
Fourth Report (Submitted in July 1971)
It
This deals in principle with the status of
English and Chinese and with the promulgation
of both languages as official languages.
is much the most difficult report for the
Hong Kong Government to accept and they are
studying its proposals very carefully,
especially in relation to their possible
effect on the recommendations in the third
report.
3. This matter is unlikely to be raised by the
unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative
Councils. It is however an emotive issue in the
Colony which has aroused strong feelings in certain
quarters, particularly in student circles and with
some fairly prominent persons (such as Dr Denny
Huang, an Urban Counsellor who has been conducting
a personal campaign on the subject).
It may
CONFIDENTIAL
/therefore...