TNAG-0326-FCO40-362-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1972 — Page 123

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Mr Laird

APPOINTMENTS TO HONG KONG EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE

COUNCILS

1

We have now received ministerial approval for the Governor's nominations and for the submission to the Privy Council of amendment to the Royal Instructions to cover the increase in the number of official and unof- ficial members.

2. The Governor has asked (his telegram No 495) that he should be informed that his proposals have been approved in order to enable him to make the necessary preparation in Hong Kong. I attach a draft telegram to Hong Kong.

3.

Legal Executive Branch have had the necessary additional instruction proof-printed and I attach a сору. They have asked for a brief explanatory note from us to accompany the draft instructions when they are submitted to the Privy Council. I attach a draft note for this purpose for your amendment/approval. Legal Executive Branch will then proceed with the Privy Council submission.

4.

LegCo Seats for JP's and General Chamber of Commerce

On balance, I decided it was probably wiser not to mention the Governor's letters to you on this subject in the attached telegram to Hong Kong. However, you may like to send the Governor an interim reply, telling him the result of Research Department's investigations and infor- ming him that we shall be submitting to ministers. I attach a draft. I will then prepare a draft submission to Mr Royle on these papers.

15 June 1972

P.M. Kelly

P M Kelly (Miss)

DD 897152 154596 SOOM 2/72 GM 3643/2