TNAG-0289-FCO40-325-Departmental-briefs-on-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 84

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Lease of New Territories

Constitution

3. Another of Hong Kong's basic problems arises from the

fact that the lease of the New Territories (which comprise

365 square miles out of the Colony's total area of 400 square

miles) expires in 1997 and there is at the moment no

likelihood that it will be renewed.

Without the New

Hong

Territories the Colony would not be a viable entity.

Kong has little or no natural resources and its economy

depends entirely on the skills of its people and on their

ability to trade. External confidence in the Colony's

ability to maintain her position and pay her way is therefore

of vital importance.

4.

Although Hong Kong possesses a highly sophisticated

community and modern facilities of all kinds with a buoyant

economy the business of Government must be conducted under a

Crown Colony Constitution which provides for no elected element

in either the Executive or Legislative Councils. The former

has a nominated unofficial majority and the Governor is

required to consult with it save where matters are unimportant

or too urgent. He may act contrary to the advice of the

Executive Council but in such cases must report fully to the

Secretary of State. The Governor legislates with the advice

and consent of the Legislative Council which has twelve

official and thirteen nominated unofficial members. The

Governor, as President, has an original and a casting vote,

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/thus