TNAG-0370-FCO40-416-Visit-of-Edward-Heath--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--12-1-1973 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

PMV (HK) (74)13

14th December 1973

COPY NO:

50

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HONG KONG

12TH-14TH JANUARY 1974

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office

1 All Members of Legislative Council are either Officials or are nominated

by the Governor. There has been increasing pressure recently for some form

of elections to Legislative Council. This has come from Members of

Parliament visiting Hong Kong and from several prominent Chinese there,

particularly the elected members of the Urban Council.

2 The problem about any elections to the legislature is that in the special

circumstances of Hong Kong progress towards self-government or independence

is ruled out. The Chinese Government have made it clear on several occasions

that they would not countenance it. The Unofficial Members of Executive

Council and Legislative Council do, however, keep in touch with public

opinion through their own organisation, known as UMELCO, which maintains a

successful office for consultations with and complaints from members of the

public. The City District Officers scheme is another channel for communication

1

CONFIDENTIAL