CO537-6046 — Page 56

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54145/4/50

SECRET.

My dear miccoll

COLONIAL OFFICE,

The Church llouse

Great Smith Street,

London, S..1.

23) October, 1950.

With reference to my letter of the 10th October, I thought you might like to know that we have heard from the Commonwealth Relations Office that the Government of India are most interested in the proposed constitutional changes in Hong Kong. They are, of course, aware of the motion passed in your Legislative Council on the 22nd June, 1949, and probably also of the representations from the Indian Community which was the subject of Grantham's despatch No.37 Secret of the 22nd December, 1249.

The Commonwealth Relations Office are informing the Government of India, through the United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Delhi, that the whole problem of constitutional reform in Hong Kong is still under consideration but that the interest of the Government of India in this matter is not being overlooked and that further information will be sent to them as soon as possible. The intention being that when the correspondence on the subject is published, copies will be made available to them.

When Grantham first produced his revised proposals there was a marginal note against the Nominated members as follows (? at least 2 being Chinese, ? 1 Portuguese,? 1 Indian). This aspect was not, however, considered in detail here though

J.F. NICOLL, ESQ., C.M.G.,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

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