TNAG-0213-FCO40-249-Appointments-of-membership-to-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 174

Mr.

Wilford

Sir L. Monson

нки

Culiced & HILIL

1/2

17

Appointments to the Hong Kong Executive

and Legislative Councils

In paragraph 7 of the attached submission, I have referred to

our efforts to make the Executive and Legislative Councils more widely

representative of the people of Hong Kong. That submission is concerned only with the specific issue of the Governor's recommenda-

tions for immediate appointments to the Legislative Council. In this

minute I attempt to deal with the general principles involved in the making of such appointments.

2.

The present unofficial membership of the Executive Council comprises one doctor, two solicitors and five bankers/businessmen. The unofficial membership of the Legislative Council consists of two

solicitors, two engineers, one housewife, one educationalist and seven bankers/businessmen. If the Governor's recommendations as set out in the attached submission are approved, the membership of

the Legislative Council will be changed by the substitution of a

barrister for a businessman.

3. The preponderance of businessmen/bankers on both councils reflects the character of the Colony's economy. But most members have

interests outside their business or professional activities, and I share the Governor's view that the range of interests covered by the existing membership is reasonably wide.

4. We recently suggested the possibility of widening representation still further by including persons from fields such as the universities, the teaching profession, the information media, the professions and

from those prominent in the social services. This led the Governor to propound certain principles which he considers should be observed

in the selection of nominees for appointment to the Legislative

Council. These principles are as follows :

(a)

Nominees must have proved themselves, to be people who would not use their position or special knowledge for personal

gain and who could be trusted with sensitive information.

(b) They must be well known in the community before they can

command public confidence.

CONFIDENTIAL

/ (c).