CONFIDENTIAL
constitutional progress towards self-government
would not be acceptable to them. Elections for one
or two members would achieve little; would involve
setting up registers of the whole colony;
and would
be likely to increase communal tensions between
communist and Kuomintang supporters.
45. Line to Take: In the special circumstances of
Hong Kong, constitutional progress is not possible.
But there are other means of consultation with public
opinion. Examples are the Office of the Unofficial
Members of Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO), the City District Officer Scheme, and the wide network of committees and advisory bodies which
exist on various subjects. There is also an elected element on the Urban Council.
CONFIDENCIAL
/46.