TNAG-0213-FCO40-249-Appointments-of-membership-to-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 136

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL.

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The other vacancy is more difficult, and unofficial members were generally unable to offer much advice on who should be appointed. Such views as they expressed were mildly in favour of Mr. Wilfred WONG Sien-bing, who is an engineer by training and who has been an appointed unofficial member of the Urban Council for the last five years. He was born in 1910 in Shanghai and is a director of various companies. As Deputy President and Chairman of the Hong Kong Branch of the British Red Cross Society he has given valuable public service, and he has served in the past as a

While I temporary member of the Legislative Council. consider Mr. Wong to be the best male candidate at present offering for the second vacancy, I have been hesitating between him or Mrs. Ellen LI Shu-pui, to whom I referred on page 5 of my letter to Sir John Martin. I consider this lady to be the best available female candidate, and I think the appointment of a female to Council would now, generally speaking, be broadly acceptable to public opinion; although doubtless with some reservations. I feel however that it would be unwise to appoint her straight away to a substantive vacancy, and that it would be better to accustom people gradually to the idea of a lady member by using her first as a temporary member to serve as and when required during the absence of other members. There may, in fact, be opportunities so to use her during the course of this summer; although this is not entirely certain. Subject to the above, therefore, I propose that Mr. Wong be appointed to the second substantive vacancy.

1966

As regards timing, the appointments of Mr. R.C. LEE and Mr. FUNG both expire on 30th June But Mr.. FUNG is at present away from the Colony until 8th May and Mr. SZETO is serving temporarily in his place. Mr. LEE will be away from the Colony for about a month from 12th May. The exact dates of their resignations are not yet firm, but I should like to determine the matter as soon as possible.

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