CO537-6046 — Page 121

[456B] Wt. 32483 800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748

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Mr...

Sidebotham 25 MA Book Sue Jepp

Mr.

Mr..

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. S.

29/7

Minister of State

Secretary of State

Mr..

Your Reference..........

DRAFT.

SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, KCMG.

BUCKLESWOOD,

CHAILEY,

SUSSEX.

FURTHER ACTION.

54145/4

For Mr. Cook's signature.

Following your discussion with myself and the

Department the other day about Hong Kong Constitution,

I had a further discussion yesterday with the

Secretary of State at which Sidebotham was present.

It emerged from this talk that Mr.Griffiths

was seriously concerned on one point. He noted that

the 1949 proposals would have provided a vote for all

persons who were prepared to declare themselves

you British subjects. He felt that under the new

proposals votes would be given to Chinese whereas been able to certain British subjects who would have had a vote

shjible under the 1949 proposals, would no longer be le to

1600 vote. He thought that it would be extremely diffi-

cult to defend such a situation in Parliament if he

on the font

was questioned and was anxious to see whether some

means could be devised for ensuring that all

User able to

persons who would have/voted under the 1949 proposals

do 20 would still be able to exercise-it under

proposals.

mary

they

new

Mr. Griffiths suggested that this might

perhaps be secured perhaps be done by including on the register of

voters for the Urban District Council any other

persons where not already on that register who

are prepared to come out into the open and declare

themselves as British subjects.

to upame

I enclose a copy

/of