Mr Stua.
Mr
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CONFIDENTIAL
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LIFE PEERAGES
1.
In his minute of 28 November Mr Youde suggested that during
the Prime Minister's visit Dr S Y Cheung might revert to his
proposal for life peerages for Hong Kong. He therefore asked
us to give some further thought to the proposal. Although the
Prime Minister's visit is now off for the present, Mr Youde may
like to know the outcome of our researches. They have included
consultation with the department's Legal Adviser, Gibraltar and
General Department, Far Eastern Department and Protocol and
Conference Department.
2. The Life Feerage Act, 1958, makes provision to confer on any
person a peerage for life. The power to create peers is vested
in Her Majesty. Where titles are conferred for parliamentary or
other public services, it is usual for the Crown to be guided
largely by the advice of the Prime Minister. Our Legal Adviser's
understanding is that each incoming Prime Minister appoints three
Privy Councillors to act as a Political Honours Scrutiny
Committee to consider and to report to him on the character and
antecedents of persons on whom it is proposed to confer honours.
In the Legal Adviser's view it would be inappropriate for the
Crown to be advised on the creation of peers other than by UK
Ministers. There could therefore be no question of direct
nominations to Her Majesty from the Government of Hong Kong.
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CONFIDENTIAL