TNAG-0213-FCO40-249-Appointments-of-membership-to-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 115

to that originally contemplated. However there may be difficulies which will be brought to light when the Governor writes to us.

4. As regards the specific question asked by Mr. Wilford if the new Governor were to be Sir Hugh Norman-Walker and if there were a clash of views between Sir Hugh Norman-Walker and the present Governor on this particular issue, then it would clearly assist the latter if he had this information when considering appointments to the two Councils. But if the new Governor comes from outside Hong Kong, he would be bound to be guided very largely by the advice of the out-going Governor. This is especially so in view of the particular considerations which will need to be borne in mind in making these appointments (e.g. the need to try and broaden the basis of the selection of candidates: the suggestion that the Urban Council (or the Governor) might nominate one or two of their members for the purpose: the fact that we are still awaiting the Governor's recommendations on the re-organisations

of likely Government in the Colony and the bearing that this exercise could have on the selection of Executive and Legislative Council candidates; the possibility of doing away with the "reserved" seats for the Chamber of Commerce and Justices of the Peace)

5. I think that the answer to Mr. Wilford's question is that although it would be a help in some respects if the identity of the new Governor were known in good time, such knowledge is by no means a prerequisite to the making of appointments to the Executive and Legislative Councils.

(A.W. Gaminara) HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

19th February, 1970