Sir D Watson
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
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CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG
1.
Sir Murray MacLehose has now sent us his despatch of 30 May with his promised views on possible constitutional
development.
2. He starts from the position, as we have done, that we must harness the consent and the energies of the 4 million Chinese who live in ilong Kong. But development towards
a fully representative government for Hong Kong is not possible because the Chinese Government would not have it. The
Governor originally believed that the need could be met by greater grass roots participation. He now considers that something more is needed. Broadly there are two options; for the people to have a share in choosing; or for those
in positions of power to be more visibly representative of the local people. These choices could, of course, be
combined.
3. Direct elections to the Legislative Council would certainly be opposed by the Chinese Government. The Governor does not rule out the appointment of more indirectly elected members through the Urban Council. But he points out that the electoral process commands little interest or respect in itself. He also stresses the extent to which the whole group of the unofficial members of Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) acts as an informal and advisory cabinet. The introduction of abrasive elements into this group, who might be valuable backbenchers in a normal parliament, could seriously disrupt the work of government in the circumstances of Hong Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL