CO537-2188 — Page 445

With the Compliments of the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion

Affairs.

CODE

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

6 - MAR 1947

O.D.

FROM:

D. C.

TO:

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

NEW ZEALAND

(GOVT.)

31

11

SOUTH AFRICA

(Scnt 10.20 p.m. 5th Mar., 1947.)

D. No. 218.

Following is text of statement which Secretary of State for Colonics madc in answer to a Parliamentary Question in the House of Commons today 5th March. Toxt begins.

On 1st May 1946 my predecessor announcca in this House that His Majesty's Government had had under consideration the means by which in Hong Kong, as alsowhere in the Colonial Empire, the inhabitants of the territory could be given a fuller and more responsible share in the management of their own affairs. on to say that it was thought that one possible method of achieving

He went this cnd would be by handing over certain functions of internal administration to a Municipal Council constituted on a fully representativc basis but that the Governor had been asked thoroughly to examine those important issues in consultation with the representatives of all sections of the community in Hong Kong.

The Governor and his Advisers held those consultations and after considering other alternatives he came to the conclusion, with which I agree, that

(a) a Municipal Council should be set up in Hong Kong on the widest representative basis possible. will be elected, and the Council will gradually assume as many of

The majority of the membors the present functions of the Central Government as can appropriately be assigned to it. The Municipality will include Kowloon, but not that area of the New Territories outside Kowloon which by reason of its rural character is not entirely suitable for immediate inclusion in the area to be administered by the Municipal Council.

(b) That the constitution of the Legislative Council should bc modifica with the object of securing on that body a more direct and a proportionately increased representation of the unofficial community. Under his recommendation, which I have accepted, the official members will be reduced to seven, and of the cight unofficial members two will be dircctly nominated by the Municipal Council, and onc cach by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commcroo and tho unofficial Justices of the Peacc. The remainder will continue to

bc nominated by the Governor.

His Majesty's Government are satisfied that these measures constitute the best means of achieving their genuine desire and intention to give the pcoplc of Hong Kong a practical and effective share in the management of their own affairs.

Ends.

Copy to:-

Foreign Office Colonial Office

Mr. J. P. G. Finch Mr. N.L. Mayle

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