TNAG-0427-FCO40-492-Proposed-constitutional-advancement-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 22

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RECORD OF MEETINGS BETWEEN LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HELD AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ON

18 AND 20 JUNE (BOTH AT 11.00 A.M.)

Present

Lord Goronwy-Roberts

Sir Duncan Watson

Mr K M Wilford (20 June)

Mr E, Youde

Mr P J E Male (18 June)

Mr A C Stuart

Mr R M Evans

Mr W Bentley

Mr A C Galsworthy

Mr B H Dinwiddy

Sir Murray MacLehose

Mr S T Kidd, Hong Kong

Commissioner

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The Future and Current Situation of Hong Kong

I.

1.

II.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed with the broad analysis contained in the Governor's despatch of 27 May. Given the age of China's present leaders and the uncertainties relating to the succession, this was not the time for new moves.

Possible Constitutional Developments

2.

Because of the inherent dangers of schism and the difficulty of presenting such an innovation to the Chinese, Sir Murray MacLehose had reluctantly rejected the idea of making Hong Kong's Legislative Council partially elective. Instead, he had suggested in his despatch of 30 May the appointment of Unofficial appointed Ministers with specific administrative responsibilities. This was what was known as the Member system. UMELCO members were already more akin to junior ministers than to backbenchers; and the appointment of Unofficial Ministers would be a logical extension of the existing system, making for little real change but for improved appearances. It would also be a spur for officials in the Hong Kong Government, who would not be displaced. Appointments would be for a fixed term, renewable at the Governor's discretion.

13.