TNAG-0215-FCO40-251-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 163

CRET

SCR 2/1136/58

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

II

HONG KONG

Pl. have t fromfare to Fi/s. 1.

10th April 1970

Diss Leslie

When he was in London Hugh Norman- Walker discussed first with Carter and then with yourself the question of the appointments of the unofficial members to Executive and legislative Councils, all of which expire on the 1st of July this year.

ï understand that both you and Carter agreed with my view that there was really only one way of proceeding in view of the approximate date of the change of Governor. That is, I propose that I should, in respect of Executive Council and Legislative Council, ask all existing nominated members to continue in office for a further year, and approach the J.P.S and the Hong Kong General Chan ber of Commerce to make their respective nominations also for a period of one year, all on the tacit understanding that they would place their resignations at the disposal of the new Governor after his arrival. The new Governor would ask all to serve out their year, and would make proposals to the Secretary of State for any changes he advises in time for those changes to become effective from the 1st July, 1971.

For me at this stage to terminate the appointment of a sitting member would be so direct an indication of a lack of confidence as to be personally embarrassing and locally unacceptable.

It will be necessary to make a

recommendation for the replacement of the appointed

Sir Leslie Monson, KCMG, CB,

Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

SECRET

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R&R.