GPS 500 INMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 2208452
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NO 61 OF 22 JANUARY,
PLEASE PASS TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON,
FABIAN SOCIETY PAMPHLET.
COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.
(13
xX1(300/548
THE FOLLOWING ARE OUR COMMENTS WHICH WILL FORM THE BASIS OF
ANY OFFICIAL REPLIES MADE HERE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECOMMEND-
ATIONS MADE IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE PAMPHLET.
1. RECOMMENDATION. ESTABLISH A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY AND A
HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE.
COMMENT. THIS IS A MATTER FOR H.M.G. (IF YOU ARE ASKED TO COMMENT, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO REPLY THAT H.M.G. SEES NO NEED
FOR SUCH A COMMISSION),
2. RECOMMENDATION. PAYMENT FOR SERVICE ON EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILS.
COMMENT. THERE IS A LONG TRADITION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN HONG
KONG. NEVERTHELESS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY AT SOME TIME TO CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES IF THE ABSENCE OF THEM WOULD DETER SUITABLE
PERSONS FROM ACCEPTING APPOINTMENT.
3. RECOMMENDATION, LEGCO SHOULD BE EXPANDED
UNOFFICIALS,
OFFICIALS AND
COMMENT. LEGCO IS INCREASED IN SIZE FROM TIME TO TIME AS
CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE.
4. RECOMMENDATION. ELECTED REPRESENTATION ON LEGCO AND ULTIMATELY
ON EXCO.
COMMENT. THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG MAKE VERY DIFFICULT
ANY CONSTITUTIONAL PROGRESS ON THE PATH CUSTOMARILY FOLLOWED BY
DEPENDANT TERRITORIES.
5. RECOMMENDATION. GREATER TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND DEBATE IN
LEGCO.
COMMENT. LEGCO MEETS AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT LEGCO
BUSINESS. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE TIME AVAILABLE FOR THIS.
CONFIDENTIAL
16.