1302
SECRET
1. At a meeting held on May day with representatives
of the China Association (Mesars. Morse and Swire) the Hang
Kong Planning Unit (Mr. MacDougall) and the Colonial
Office (Mr. Gent, Mr. Paskin, Mr. Mayle, Miss Ruston) the
question was raised as to the possibility of a more
liberal form of Government in Hong Kong after the
Colony had been reoccupied and "settled down".
2. The conception was that, a large measure of
government might be vested in a Municipal Council.
matters which it was suggested would be appropriate to
the responsibilities of such a Council were:
3.
Local Goverment,
Certain, land acquisition rights,
Housing,
Medical Services,
Sanitation,
Poor Relief,
Public Analyst's Department,
Certain aspects of education,
particularly Technical Schools,
Certain Public Works,
Local Finance
Matters which must be reserved for the Central
Some
Government would be Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance.
The following would also be appropriate:
·
Administration of Justice,
Police,
Prisons,
Labour,
Registrar General's office,
Fisheries,
Some Public Works.
4*