CO537-6046 — Page 49

5/1136/49

50

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT.

HONG KONG,

X

48

SECRET

den Sichthem

My dea

1st November, 1950.

With reference to your Secret letter No.54145/4/50 of the 23rd October about the interest of the Government of India in the proposed constitutional changes here, the point about representation through nominat ed members of various communities has now been considered. The view taken is that it would be preferable not to commit ourselves on the races of the nominated members. The Governor would thus have the opportunity of adjusting the balance of the Council so as to provide as wide a representation as possible, after he knows what members had been elected by the various bodies. For example, if the Urban Council elected a Portuguese, the Governor need not necessarily nominate a Portuguese.

The point will be taken up in the despatch which is now being prepared.

J.B. Sidebotham, Esq., C.M.G.,

Colonial Office,

LONDON.

lou

Yum

Hhum