CONFIDENTIAL
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
PMV (HK) (74)13
14th December 1973
COPY NO:
50
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HONG KONG
12TH-14TH JANUARY 1974
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office
1 All Members of Legislative Council are either Officials or are nominated
by the Governor. There has been increasing pressure recently for some form
of elections to Legislative Council. This has come from Members of
Parliament visiting Hong Kong and from several prominent Chinese there,
particularly the elected members of the Urban Council.
2 The problem about any elections to the legislature is that in the special
circumstances of Hong Kong progress towards self-government or independence
is ruled out. The Chinese Government have made it clear on several occasions
that they would not countenance it. The Unofficial Members of Executive
Council and Legislative Council do, however, keep in touch with public
opinion through their own organisation, known as UMELCO, which maintains a
successful office for consultations with and complaints from members of the
public. The City District Officers scheme is another channel for communication
1
CONFIDENTIAL