TNAG-0371-FCO40-417-Visits-of-leading-personalities-of-Hong-Kong-to-the-UK-1973 — Page 27

[MR RUTTONJEE]

So I am tempted to complain, Sir, that you sometimes do not make as much use of us as you could, while at other times you appear to feel that we must have to be placated to the extent of denying Govern- ment much credit which it deserves. The most recent example which comes to mind is the explanation given by my honourable Friend the Commissioner of Labour, when he described to us in this Chamber his general proposals for legislation.* He explained that he had been in- hibited until then by the realization that he could not say too much for the fear he would offend our susceptibilities. I am sure that my Un- official Colleagues are as horrified as I am at the thought that Govern- ment is being unfairly criticized for any action, or lack of it, simply because it is assumed that nothing must be said on anything until we have put our chops on it. Such a concept does no good to the Government, nor to this Council. Of course we expect to be given our opportunity to discharge our duties in respect of legislation, but we would be in no way losing the right, and indeed we could play a much more valuable part, if at an earlier stage we could be consulted about the policies to which legislation merely gives effect.

But, Sir, I have only one other matter which I wish to raise. It is, however, something that I regard as the single most important issue that faces us today. More important than money and taxes, more important than Government reorganization, our schools and our hospitals.

It is a problem of leadership. I touched on it, briefly, at the beginning of my speech and I make no apology whatsoever for re- turning to it again because it is important, it is vitally important. For me, personally, this is a moment of history and the following cannot be left unsaid. As you are aware, Sir, after 15 years in this Council, this is to be my last Budget Speech, and I feel confident that you and my honourable Members will bear with me whilst I make this plea in the name of Hong Kong.

As I have said earlier, the people of Hong Kong made it quite clear last year just where their loyalities lay. But since that time they have been waiting for some indication that this Government realizes just how desperately many of them are for leadership, just how much they long for a realization, a manifestation, by those who govern them that the problems are urgent, and that minds are confused. We have heard it said so often since last May that "things can never be the same" . without any suggestion as to how Government intends to meet what is an entirely new situation. I sometimes wonder whether the only thing that will be changed is that Government will stop saying "things will never be the same again". whilst carrying on as

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* 1968 Hansard. page 32.