TNAG-0369-FCO40-415-Visit-of-Edward-Heath--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--12-1-1974 — Page 70

CONFIDENTIAL

constitutional progress towards self-government

would not be acceptable to them. Elections for one

or two members would achieve little; would involve

setting up registers of the whole colony;

and would

be likely to increase communal tensions between

communist and Kuomintang supporters.

45. Line to Take: In the special circumstances of

Hong Kong, constitutional progress is not possible.

But there are other means of consultation with public

opinion. Examples are the Office of the Unofficial

Members of Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO), the City District Officer Scheme, and the wide network of committees and advisory bodies which

exist on various subjects. There is also an elected element on the Urban Council.

CONFIDENCIAL

/46.