CONFIDENTIAL
m.
Mr Murray
Contays the
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HONG KONG: THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 5 OCTOBER
1. During my recent visit to Hong Kong I made enquiries about the public and press reaction to the proposals contained in the Governor's speech. On the whole the reaction has been in rather a low key and what there has been has been favourable. This is to be expected, as the pattern in Hong Kong is for criticism of new measures to be muted for some time after the actual announcement of new and controversial measures. I would expect that the real and important criticism would be voiced during the debate on the speech which starts about now, both in the Council and in the press, for which Council speeches would act as a trigger. The Governor is, of course, committed to the publication of three (and a half) Green Papers giving details of the proposals for a contributory health, unemployment and injury scheme and the extension of free and compulsory education and on various other measures. expect intensive lobbying after the publication.
One would
27 October 1977
cc:
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
OLA
SEA
JAB Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
CONFIDENTIAL