CONFIDENTIAL
when considering the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; (b) the present arrangement consisted of a suspension of the law by admin- istrative action and (c) although it was not possible to have a popularly elected legislature in Hong Kong, as in other Dependent Territories where the death penalty existed, it was quite clear where Hong Kong's public opinion stood on this issue. These considerations would have to be borne in mind if ever our present policy was reviewed.
DEFENCE COSTS
5. The Governor asked that it should be put on record that he was very anxious that any announcement on restrictions on Hong Kong EMALDA
1 imports into the UK should not coincide with the publication of the
new Defence Agreement. He urged that strong support be given to the Hh Secretary of State for Trade's view that there should be no import HILLIGH
николь
restrictions on Hong Kong textiles. Lord Goronwy-Roberts accepted the point that such a coincidence could upset 18 months' work on the Defence Agreement and undertook to convey the Governor's views to the Secretary of State.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
6.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts asked whether there had been any public reaction to the Governor's statement in his Annual Address on possible evolution of the Legislative Council, whether the Governor could give further details of his proposed new members, and whether he felt the move towards open government in Hong Kong was increasing the pressures for a representative system of government. The Governor said that there was interest in his proposals although in his view they were only a continuation of what he had said and done over the preceding two years. He made the point that the success of the new appointments would depend on the calibre of the new members. The changes would be very heavily criticised if they were considered to be a political gimmick. The attitude of existing members to the new arrangements was also important: the new members must be able to play a full part in the work of UMELCO. He said that he was tolerably confident that
/he could
CONFIDENTIAL