LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH MR JAMES JOHNSON MP ON 11 FEBRUARY 1976
III.
SPEAKING NOTES ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE FABIAN PAMPHLET
Commission of Inquiry into Conditions in Hong Kong
1.
HMG sees no present need for the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry. The Governor keeps us fully informed about conditions there. There is also a steady stream of Ministers, MPs and officials to the Colony. The Secretary of State will be visiting Hong Kong in May.
House of Commons Select Committee on Hong Kong
2.
The Sub-Committee on Defence and External Affairs visited the Colony in November and has taken evidence on a wide range of matters including conditions in the Colony. Altogether more than 20 MPs visited Hong Kong in 1975. There is thus no lack of knowledge among MPs about conditions in Hong Kong.
Expansion of the Legislative Council
3.
The Legislative Council was last expanded in 1972.
Although nothing has been announced yet, HMG and the Hong Kong
Government are considering further expansion of the Legislative Council to accommodate new members drawn from a wider social background. This is part of the Governor's programme of institutional reform to develop a more open and responsive system of government.
Elective Representation in the Legislative Council
4.
The Chinese are very sensitive to any developments which they consider challenge their claim to sovereignty and are particularly sensitive to any growth in pro-Taiwan influence in Hong Kong. Any such move towards elected representation could, in our view, threaten the present status quo in Hong Kong. This is well understood locally. The Chinese reacted strongly when a pro-KMT candidate was recently elected to the comparatively insignificant Urban Council.
5.
There is little popular pressure in Hong Kong for the
development of elected institutions.
/Appointment