TNAG-0327-FCO40-363-History-of-constitution-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 12

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

members, three of whom are nominated by the Crown

on the recommendation of the Governor, one is

nominated by the JPs from their body, and one by

the Chamber of Commerce" Research Department

think this must be an error

-

Royal Instructions

and other instruments of course vest the ultimate

appointment to office and to Council seats in the

Crown, and it would be most unconstitutional for a

Chamber of Commerde to be placed on the same footing

in this respect as the Crown they have drawn

this fact to our attention in case it should be

adduced by others now,

argument.

indeed,

Research Department have added that they are

not impressed by Mr Vine's piece of research

enclosed in his letter to Mr Royle of 5 June.

The origins of the 1883 reform are glossed;

his reference on page 4 to Sir George Bowen being

under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce in

December 1882 is clearly wrong Bowen did not go

to Hong Kong till 1883,

Probably this a typing

error there are others), but in any case the

brevity of this passage suggests that Mr Vine is

not sure of his ground here.

Meanwhile,

I hope all this is of use to you.

Research Department are still studying the old

papers. If anything else turns up of which we

think you should be aware before you leave Hong

Kong on 5 August I will send a telegram.

This question has been submitted to Ministers

and I have been instructed to authorise you, if

you see no objection, to write to Mr Vine on the

5.

CONFIDENTIAL

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