TNAG-0215-FCO40-251-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 104

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5.

(c) They must have time to spare for the Council's work and

the very considerable subsidiary activities involved. This would mean that they would need to be in possession of a reasonable income with a measure of freedom from other

commitments. In the view of the Governor the payment of unofficial members (they are at present unpaid for their services) would tend to cause people to doubt whether they were disinterested.

d) They must possess a fair knowledge of written and spoken

English.

(e) They should not be people who can be manipulated by

sectional interests.

(f) They must be British subjects.

(g) The character of the Council must be such as to avoid any

need for the over-frequent employment of the President's (Governor's) original and casting vote to ensure the official majority.

As regards the suggestions mentioned in paragraph 4 above, the Governor considers that the two universities are already well represented on one or other of the Councils by members of the University Councils. He thinks that people teaching at the universities or schools would not be able to spare the time for this purpose and that persons employed in the information media would be totally unacceptable under the principle at (a) above. He considers that the professions are already well represented and has told us that most of the present members of the two Councils are active in

some sphere of social welfare. There is no trade union member on either of the Councils and, given the deep political rift (between pro-Taiwan and pro-communist elements) in the trade union movement in the Colony,

the Governor fears that there would be grave political dangers in appointing such a member, even if the movement could produce a suitable person. I agree with him on this point.

6.

The

Another possibility that we have had under consideration for some time is that the Governor might appoint to the Legislative Council one or two elected members of the Urban Council. Governor's view is that, although such a course would be possible in principle, members of the Urban Council cannot be said to be in

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