CO537-6046 — Page 219

54145/4/50

The Church House,

Great Smith Street,

S.

1.

31 January, 1950

4

PRIORITY、、

Dear Hosix,

You will recall that on the 12th October, 1949, we sent you copies of two despatches from the

Governor of Hong Kong, Nos. 155 and 28 (Secret) of the 25th August, 1949, on the subject of constitutional reform.

Our consideration of these proposals is now nearing completion and at this stage we should be glad to know at your early convenience whether the Ministry of Defence have any observations to offer on the Governor's proposals and on their adoption.

You will perhaps have noted that it is proposed that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief shall no longer be our ex-officio member of the Legislative Council; this is in accordance with the views

expressed by the British Defence Co-ordination Committee at their meeting in Singapore on the 14th December, 1948 (B.D.C.C.(F.E.) 14th Meeting) and I presume therefore that you will concur.

Yours sincerely

(Sgd) H. P. Hall.

(H. P. Hall)

J. HOSIE, ESQ., M.B.E.,

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.