TNAG-0327-FCO40-363-History-of-constitution-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 30

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HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF HONG KONG'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

1

You will remember that the Governor asked

us to consider the future of the Chamber of

Commerce and JP seats of the Legislative Council. He also asked if Research Department could look into the background of the history of these appointments (his letters of 19 and 23 May and 2 June at 1, 2 and 3).

2

Research Department did a good deal of preliminary research in time for Sir Hugh Norman-Walker's visit here last month. Their conclusion at that time was that there is no foundation in law for the practice of calling for nominations to the Legislative Council from the JPS and the Chamber of Commerce. Research Department did add, however, that the matter might repay further investigation. There is no immediate hurry to give the Governor a sub- stantive reply since the sitting JP has agreed to stay on until next year, but the Governor will no doubt wish to discuss this with us when he is in the Office in September.

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3 However, before sending the papers to Research Department again, I noticed that there is a letter from Mr Vine in Hong Kong which he addressed to Mr Royle,/which a reply is still outstanding. The Governor in a minute of 6 June forwarding Mr Vine's letter has suggested two alternative replies (paragraphs 5 and 6 of his minute). Since we have time, I think it would be as well to go into the matter thoroughly before giving the Governor a substantive reply and I would suggest, therefore, that Mr Royle should reply in terms of the Governor's first alternative (paragraph 5 of his minute).

4 I attach a draft letter from Mr Royle to Mr Vine, together with a short covering submission.

5 If you agree with this, I would then propose to send the papers back to Research Department asking them to look further into the first few years of the system in Hong Kong and the precedence of Ceylon and Mauritius. A full submission could then be put up to Mr Royle Kelly

12 July 1972

P.M.

P M Kelly

DD 897152 154596 500M 2/72 GM 3643/2

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