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term future. The discussions in Peking will be of great significance,
since we need a clear signal as to the extent of Peking's commitment, as
opposed to Guangdong's, to the project (Brief No.13) ·
MEETING WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (UMELCO)
11. There are nine unofficial members of the Executive Council (the
senior advisory body to the Governor). Five of them also serve on the
Legislative Council together with 19 other Unofficial Members. By
taking part in the process of government, the 28 members of UMELCO
provide an outside critical element and serve as a public watchdog on
Many of their questions to the Secretary of State
the administration.
will be on topics which will already have been discussed with senior
officials, but the same line will not always be appropriate. Separate
Points to Make are therefore provided, together with background notes.
These also cover points which are not to be discussed with the Governor
but which might be raised by Unofficials, i.e. air services, plans to
replace Kai Tak Airport and the level of legal immigration from China
(Brief No.17). (Except where indicated this brief should also serve for
the meeting with the Urban Council and the Press Conference.) At the
same time, the meeting with UMELCO should provide a useful opportunity
for the Secretary of State to reiterate HMG's support for Hong Kong,
while at the same time reminding the Unofficials of the economic facts
which oblige Britain to adopt a tighter financial attitude towards the
dependencies, e.g. defence costs, higher education fees, as in other
directions.
MEETING WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL
12. Many of the questions are likely to be parochial and the focus
will probably be on the Green Paper entitled 'A Pattern of District
Administration'. Although these proposals have been generally well
received, the elected Urban Councillors (who enjoy a degree of support
from MPs) are not happy. They dislike the proposed constituency
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