CO537-6046 — Page 119

54145/4/50.

H.K. and Pac.

Capy at (1) on 5357

53577/32

16th July, 1,50.

Following your discussion with myself and

the Department the other day about Hong Kong Constitution, I had a further discussion yesterday

ith the Secretary of Poetc at which Sicebothen 628 present.

It emerged from this tels that Hr. Griffiths wes seriously concured on one point. He noted that the 1/49 proposals would have provided a vote for all persons who were prepared to declar. thesselves British subjects. He felt that under your new proposuis votes would be given to thinese simreas cert in British subjects who would have been able to vote under the 1949 propostle, would no longer be eligible to do. Be thought that it would be extremely difficult to defend such a situation in Parliament if he was questioned on the point and wus maious to see whether some seus could be devised for ensuring that all persons who would have been able to vote under the 1949 proposals would still be able to do so uncer any new proposals. Mr. Griffith suggested that this aight perhaps be pecured by including on the register of voters for the Urban District Council any other persons not already on that registero are prepared to come out into the open and declare themselves as

1

Sir Alexander Grantawa, K.C.N.G.

British