TNAG-0290-FCO40-326-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1971 — Page 85

Mr Wilforâ

Origins! at: HKK 1 / 9 HKKI/3

Acting ma

Sir L Monson

Mr Logan

APPOINTMENTS TO THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS

PROBLEM

In the special circumstances of Hong Kong how can we associate a more representative cross section of the people of the Colony with the management of their own affairs at the highest level. TUECOMMENDATION

2.

I recommend that Sir L Moneon should write to the Governor as in the attached draft (this deals in passing with the petition from the Heung Yoe Kuk).

BACKGROUND

3. It was agreed last June that the Members of both Councils thon appointed should be appointed up to the end of 1971. This course was adopted on the advice of Sir D Tronch that appointmento for a year only, ie up to 30 June, 1971, would place Mr MacLehoce (whom Sir D Trench would feel bound to consult)" in an awkward position when the appointments for the period from 1 July, 1974 came up for consideration. On the other hand, and with the change in Governorship then planned for mid-October, appointments up to 31 December, 1971, would givo Ar MacLehose some 24 months in which to make up his own mind about the future composition of the Councils aftor he had azrived in the Colony.

4. It is now planned that Mr Machchose should delay his arrival in Hong Kong until mid-November. He will thus have only about a month in which to consider new appointments to the Councils and it is now more important than ever that the ground be prepared bofore he goes to liong Kong.

5. I much regrot that, through an oversight, this preparatory work has not been put in hand earlier as proposed by Sir L Monson in his minute or 10 July, 1970, Fortunately, Sir D Trench will bo horo on leave next June, This will give us an opportunity of taking a fresh look at the problem with both Sir D Trench and Mr Machchose.

A O Lain

Hong Kong Dupartment