C.
Mr. Carter
TOP SECRET
My conclusion is that because of the considerable
uncertainties about the future, and particularly
in so far as they relate to China and world affairs generally, it is extremely difficult to make any firm plans for the future of Hong Kong and that when the time comes the Chinese in Hong Kong will
themselves decide to a greater extent what their
future will be.
As regards Hong Kong itself, I still feel that because of its special positi on, the question of constitutional development towards full internal
self-government is just not on. On the other hand
I do think that there is room to make the
present official Government of Hong Kong less hide- bound. The Governor has recently extended the committee system which gives the unofficials a greater say in the formulation of policy. I support this and think that it should be extended as quickly as possible. The proposals to set up urban "district officers" is also a move in the right direction and should be built up when this becomes possible.
The Minister has himself impressed on the Government the need for enlightened legislation in
the labour field and I have no doubt that the pressure will continue to be kept up on this.
I think that our policy on Hong Kong has been the correct one, which is to deal firmly with any
attempts to undermine law and order, but at the same time to try to improve the social conditions of the people of Hong Kong. It is not possible to fix a firm date for a withdrawal from Hong Kong and we can only hope that as time goes by the Hong Kong Chinese themselves will realise that their
future must lie with China and make their own plans accordingly, either to get out if they can or to come to terms with China if they cannot.
мни (H.P. Hall) 26 April. 1968
TOP SECRET
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