-2-
very serious consideration in the case of Hong Kong only if
there were an overwhelming desire on the part of the population in Hong Kong, after taking into consideration all the circumstances present and potential, for a move in this direction. All concerned had a duty very carefully to consider the implications for Hong Kong of any proposals for constitutional change. Mr MacKenzie said that the Minister
had made this position fully clear at his meeting with the Urban District Council at which Mrs Elliott was not present. Mrs Elliott said that she had carefully checked with the Hong Kong Radio the statement attributed to Lord Goronwy-Roberts and they had confirmed it. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that she had
now checked it with him, and he had confirmed that he had not
made it.
4.
Mrs Elliott said that it was inconsistent for the Hong Kong Government to require overwhelming evidence of a desire on the
part of the population for representative government and at the
same time to refuse to hold a referendum on the subject. Lord Goronwy-Roberts replied that the media were completely free in Hong Kong and provided a means for expression of view on this as on all other subjects. It was not for him to express a view on how public opinion could be mobilised. Only the people of Hong Kong were in a position to do this. There was freedom of association in Hong Kong and no obstacle to the expression of views. He believed for example that there was now a petition on the Death Penalty. Mr MacKenzie questioned whether Mrs Elliott had a majority for her views and Mr Chan, emphasising that he was from a poor family and born in Hong Kong, said that a large majority of the Chinese population in the Colony did not favour the changes advocated. Mr Chan explained that the Chinese population were not inert about politics since they wanted housing, social conditions etc. but they were quite content with the present channels of communication with the
Government.
15.
Mrs Elliott