8.
amendments are necessary in this respect. But if there are any other important points arising out of the three draft Ordinances (which are lose in the folder marked 'Eastern below), it would no doubt be useful if we could let the Governor have them now. They might he referred to Mr. McPetrie in the first place to say whether there are any important legal points to be raised.
(I have been rather hurriedly through the draft Municipal Council Ordinance myself. My preliminary observations are set out in the note which I have placed in the folder containing the Ordinance.)
Mr. Sidebotham
19.4.48.
A summary of the proposals for constitutional development in Hong Kong is in my note at (8). There are three basic despatches so far and one secret despatch.
2. In his despatch No. 145 of the 22nd October 1946 ((69) on the 1946 file part II) the Governor made
his recommendations. He accompanied these by an unnumbered secret despatch of the same date informing the Secretary of State of the apathy and apr hension in many quarters in Hong Kong in regard to the proposals (70 on the 1946 file Part II). In his despatch No. 222 of the 3rd July 1947 (86 on the 1947 file Part I) the Secretary of State accepted the Governor's recommendations with certain comments and promised a further communication on the question of external control (financial and otherwise) of the affairs of the Council. This further despatch was in draft in the C.0. in October last and was sent to the Treasury for concurrence on the 22nd October (120 on the 1947 file Part II). On the same day Mr. Mayle sent a copy of the draft with a personal letter to Sir Alexander Grantham (121 on the 1947 file Part II). This was fortunate because the Treasury reply was not received until March 1948. The despatch finally went to Hong Kong on the 27th March (5). (I have put in photostat copies of Hong Kong despatch No. 145/46 and of the Secretary of State's despatch No. 222/47, which are published documents.)
3. Sir Alexander Grantham replied to Mr. Mayle's letter of the 22nd October by a letter dated the 17th November (122 on the 1947 file Part II) which enclosed three draft Bills for information. (The draft Bills are in separate file cover).
4.
Now see Mr. Mayle's minute of 19/4. I regret I have not had time since the transfer of
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