TNAG-0437-FCO40-502-Visits-of-UK-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 48

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event (given the inherent and chronic political inhibitions in Hong Kong which militate against normal trade union organisation and collective bargaining).

9.

On the question of possible constitutional developments Í found a good deal of thinking around in Hong Kong, among both officials and unofficials, on the question of how democratic elective processes might be developed without upsetting relations with China, There was a feeling that something ought to be done, particularly to meet the likely demands of the oncoming younger generation, who would tend towards the Western approach and, while accepting the limitations arising from Hong Kong's geographical and historical situation, were unlikely to be satisfied with the alternative devices that the Hong Kong Government was now laudably seeking to develop to improve communications between Government and the people. But nobody had any firm ideas to offer in this dilemma;

and the trouble is that any really effective electoral channel to representation in the policy-making bodies of Hong Kong would inevitably lead to a polarisation between the Communist Chinese and their opponents, which would produce a situation which the Chinese Government could not ignore.

10.

In this situation, it hardly seems that any widening of the franchise for elections to the Urban Council or formalisation of arrangements for appointment of elected Urban Councillors to the Legislative Council would really contribute to progress. The principle of nomination of elected Urban Councillors on personal merit to Legislative Council is now established, and should be continued and extended where possible. But since we are stuck with the perpetuation of a nominated system in Hong Kong, and having regard to the calibre of the individuals which the limited electoral system for the Urban Council produces, the Governor has a point in saying that the risk of disturbing the peculiar political cohesiveness with which UMELCO manages to operate must also be watched. Ministers will no doubt wish to discuss with the Governor the prospects and problems of widening the range of nominated representation on the two Councils.

11. Beyond this, the Governor has made the interesting suggestion,

in his despatch of 30 May, that a "member system" should be established, under which local "Ministers" would be responsible for designated areas of Government. This would be an innovation in our Colonial practice, in that responsibility would be given in this way to appointed rather than elected members, and with no prospect of the further traditional progress towards an elected Cabinet exercising powers constitutionally removed from the Governors control as a phase in the process towards ultimate independence. The constitutional implications of the proposal will need careful study. But Hong Kong calls for new thinking and the idea is imaginative. The main problem is that pressure would no doubt develop once the system had been introduced for formal devolution of powers from the Governor: and I am doubtful whether this could be contemplated in Hong Kong circumstances. The basis would I think have to remain that "Members" were given /defined

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