F
HRIOD.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SWIA 2AH
4:
IN
*1
7 August 1975
о
14)
REGI
20 AUG 1975
Kirk 5/28.
RE
JA
I have now been able to reflect on the advice I have
been given on the various points raised when you and other
members of the NEC called on me on 23 April to discuss
Hong Kong.
On the question of membership of the Legislative
Council, I can say two things. The first is that, while
I would prefer to see constitutional progress in Hong Kong,
I do
as elsewhere in our remaining dependencies, I think progress
must to a large extent depend upon Chinese attitudes.
not think you will need any reminding that we have no vested
interest in non-elective legislatures anywhere, least of all
But in considering ways in our remaining Colonial possessions.
forward, we would be very unwise to ignore the dangers, not only
to Hong Kong itself but also to our relations with China, if we
sought to introduce an electoral system against the wishes of
China. As I told you on 23 April, the Chinese were not at
all happy over the election of someone of known KMT affiliations
to the Urban Council. This is illustrative of the difficulties
/we might
Ian Mikardo, Esq., M.P.
to kiss Swan G+GD. 20
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