CO537-6046 — Page 94

[436B) Wt. 32483/800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748

2015

C. O.

Mr. Sidebotham 21

Paskin

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.............................................

Mr.

29/7

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. S.

Minister of State

Secretary of State

Ja hi afromtham's

SECRET AND PERSONAL

DRAFT. s.0. letter

Your Reference..

For Mr. Paskin's signature.

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

HONG KONG.

(23)

14058

(an shrusty/49)

favour of them

appan

shush would

then libert

5414

Oft. Damp. (oft A).

FURTHER ACTION.

You will be aware of the revised proposals

for constitutional reform in Hong Kong which Grantham

brought with him in sketch form. Since he has been

back here the whole matter has been discussed

exhaustively with him, both by ourselves and by

Ministers, and the conclusion has/been reached that

subject to certain amendments which I mention below,

browflake but with beram

Grantham's latest proposals are a good deal more

satisfactory, having regard to the present situation

the Far East-

in Hong Kong, than those submitted by him last year

Seved

in his official despatch No. 28

ス

The Secretary of State, however, saw serious

difficulties in coming out at this stage with any "najed the open despatch which might have refused to accept the Bunk B

proposals submitted last year which were, in general,

in accord with H.M.G's policy for constitutional

advancement in the colonies, It is fully appreciated,

however, that circumstances in Hong Kong are so

exceptional that what might well be the right general

policy might be attended in the case of Hong Kong

with certain dangers about which it would\be

extremely difficult for him to be explicit if

22543. questioned in Parliament or elsewhere. He therefore

came to the conclusion that the best thing for him

Xto