CO537-2188 — Page 319

and proportionately increased unofficial representation

on the Legislative Council. Together with the

Municipality proposals they constitute a most welcome

step in the direction of sound constitutional advance.

6. I accept without comment the proposals and

recommendations in paragraphs 27, 32 and 39 of Sir Mark

Young's despatch No.145.

7. In paragraph 46 of that despatch, ir Mark Young

requested authority to proceed forthwith with all detailed

preparations, including the drafting of the necessary

legislation, to give effect to his proposals and

recommendations. In conveying to you this authority,

subject to the commento in paragraph 4 above, I desire

to say that I appreciate that much work will be

involved in the preparations for the institution of

Municipal Government and the revision of the present

constitution of the Legislative Council. Should you come

to the conclusion that additional staff is required over

and above the appointment of a Town Clerk, to avoid

diverting your existing staff from the immediate and urgent

problems of rehabilitation and development, I trust you

will not hesitate to raise the matter with me.

8. I have already expressed to Sir Mark Young my

appreciation of the thoroughness with which the whole

question of constitutional advance in the Colony of

Hong Kong was examined under his guidance and supervision

during his tenure of office, and of the clear and

competent way in which the various arguments and his

conclusions were conveyed to me in his despatch No.145

of the 22nd October 1946. I also asked that an expression

of my appreciation be conveyed to Mr. T.. Hazlerigg,

C. B., M.C., for the experienced advice and ready

assistance which he gave throughout to Sir Mark Young.

It is fitting that this despatch should conclude with

a further acknowledgement of my deep appreciation of

/the