LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH MR KEVIN SINCLAIR OF THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - 10 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 4
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Line to Take
1.
The special circumstances of Hong Kong make very difficult any constitutional progress on the lines normally followed in other dependent territories. This situation is well understood
in Hong Kong.
2.
The Hong Kong Government is therefore obliged to govern with the consent of the people but without the usual parliamentary machinery to obtain this. In its absence, a system peculiar to Hong Kong has been developed to provide for popular participation in the process of government i.e. the wider functions of UMELCO and the successful introduction of Mutual Aid Committees.
3.
You will have noticed that in his annual address to
Legislative Council in October, the Governor indicated that in his view there is room for change in the Legislative Council while retaining its essential character. He is considering specific proposals to put
to HMG.
Defensive Points
4.
Further details on the proposed changes
It would be inappropriate to give details whilst the Governor's proposals are still under consideration. They obviously reflect the Governor's concern to achieve wide and active
participation at all levels in the process of government.
5.
Proposals for an elected Legislative Council
As I said at the end of my visit to Hong Kong, we would pay attention to any genuine movement for an elected Legislative Council. However we would have to gauge very carefully reactions in
Peking to any change of this sort. I believe that this reservation is widely understood in Hong Kong.