CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GPS 250
FM HONG KONG 08041OZ
CONFIDENTIAL
1KK 3/548/9
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 1130 OF 8 NOVEMBER.
(140)
NOTE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR
•
MY TEL 1124:
FOR THE DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE.
I HAD NOT SEEN THIS TELEGRAM BEFORE ITS DESPATCH AND FEEL IT IMPORTANT THAT THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS SHOULD BE MADE:
''THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2. PARA. 4 ADD AFTER LAST SENTENCE: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH AND CANTONESE WITH SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION AND ARE BOTH BROADCAST AND TELEVISED'',
''THE
3. BETWEEN PARAS 4.AND 5 INSERT NEW PARAGRAPH AS FOLLOWS: FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONSISTS ONLY OF ALL UNCFFICIAL MEMBERS PLUS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND COLONIAL SECRETARY, WHO CHAIRS IT. THERE IS THUS A LARGE UNOFFICIAL MAJORITY ON THIS COMMITTEE, AND ALTHOUGH ITS DECISIONS COULD IN THEORY BE OVER-RIDDEN BY. THE FULL COUNCIL, THIS WOULD LEAD TO A MAJOR CRISIS AND HAS NOT BEEN ATTEMPTED FOR MANY YEARS IF EVER’'
4. PARA 5 ADD AT THE END:
ADD AT THE END: ''SUBJECT TO CERTAIN MINOR EXCEPTIONS THEY RECEIVE COPIES OF ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL (WHICH ARE ALL GRADED) AND CAN CALL FOR CONFIDENTIAL FILES.
} }
5. PARA 7 FIRST SENTENCE, ADD AT THE END: AND IS SATISFIED THAT SUFFICIENT CONSENT EXISTS FOR THEM TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC.
6. PARA 7 THIRD SENTENCE ADD AT THE END AND THERE IS A LIMIT. BEYOND WHICH HE CANNOT IMPOSE POLICY UNACCEPTABLE TO IT''.
7. PARA 7 4TH SENTENCE, ADD AT THE END:
1
**AND VICE VERSA''
''TO PUT THIS IN PROPORTION 8. PARA 7 ADD AT THE END NEW SENTENCE: THE SECRETARY OF STATE HOLDS THE ULTIMATE SANCTION OF DISMISSAL OF THE COVERNOR, WHO HOLDS HIS OFFICE AT THE QUEEN'S PLEASURE''.
MACLEHOUSE
FILES
HKLOD (3)
PS/PUS
COPIES TO -MR +CKFORD,
LEGAL ADVISER
PCCU
MR MALE
PS
MR LARMOUR
148)
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
CONFIDENTIAL
TAL