N.B.
6.
indication that we envisage for the Colony a future and a
status other than its eventual re-incorporation into China.
Passages in square brackets not for public use.
It can be said publicly that we are always considering what
means there are of broadening the basis of the Legislative Council
within the framework of the existing system of government.
(For the Secretary of State's information
correspondence is going on
with the Governor at present on the possibility of widening the field
of nomination to the Legislative Council.)
7. There are dangers because of the unsettling effect in Hong
Kong and deductions which may be drawn in Peking if a member of the
Opposition front bench says anything about elected representation or
advance towards self-government in Hong Kong. The Secretary of State
may wish to have a word with Mr Bottomley before the debate about the
need for care in talking of this. Ir doing so, he might find it
helpful to refer to the very guarded statements of r Healey, MP, at
his press confer cnoe in Hong Kong on the 21st September, reproduced
below:-
(i) "There is scope for movement, if not for a complete change
of direction, in the administration of Hong Kong
I would hope to extend the range of groups from which the
Government takes its advice."
(ii) Asked if this implied some form of representation, he replied:
"Not necessarily at this stage
•
•
•
I have a nasty feeling
Squatters and
Housing.
11
that perhaps to have direct elections to organs having power
hight inevitably lead to a struggle between the two externally
influenced groups and upset existing stability."
8. We understand that Mr Bottomley will refer to the problem of
'squatters" (whom ho may refer to as "settlers.") These are
immigrants from China who, for lack of housing and resources, have
settled in shacks and huts on vacant land (even on roof-tops of
tenements.) Settlement by squatters in unsuitable areas has followed
the large intake of inmigrants in 1962 (estimated at about 140,000) Page 306 of 344
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