CONFIDENTIAL
4.
(v) Introduction of Chinese as an official language to be used
simultaneously in Hong Kong with English
It is assumed that the reply to this suggestion should be based upon the relevant passage in your Address at the Budget Meeting of the Legislative Council on 28 February.
(vi) Political Reforms
You will note from the record referred to in paragraph 2 above that the Minister explained to the delegation the difficulties about providing for elected representation on the Executive and Legislative Councils. We should be grateful for your comments on the request for representation of the New Territories on the central Councils of Government.
(vii) Localisation of the Civil Service
We are aware of the political considerations which limit the localisation of senior posts; these of course cannot be publicly mentioned. No doubt you will feel that this can best be answered by reference to the steady growth in the proportion of administrative and professional posts filled by local officers (40.4% in 1961 to 46.1% in 1966)`and to such limiting factors as the lack of sufficient qualified candidates.
(viii) Local Government
It is assumed the information contained in your Address to the Legislative Council on 28 February could be used as the basis for the reply.
(ix) Land Policy in the New Territories
This is of course a very long-standing bone of contention with the Heung Yee Kuk. The latest communication that we have from you on the subject is your Savingram No.283H dated 2, December,1966.
We shall be grateful for your detailed recommendations on the form of reply.
CONFIDENTIAL
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