TNAG-0438-FCO40-503-Visits-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament--to-Hong-Kong-including-v-1974 — Page 101

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CONFIDENTIAL

members of the Urban Council are elected, it is difficult to describe

them as representative. As Mr Roberts said, they are chosen from

the urban area alone, the electorate is very small, and only a

small proportion of the electorate bother to vote.

6.

However the reason for this apathy is largely that the

Urban Council has no very substantial functions and relatively low

prestige. If elections to the Urban Council were seen as an indirect

avenue to Legislative Council, interest in the elections might well

pick up; though, as Mr Roberts also pointed out, elections do not,

historically, mean much to the Chinese.

7.

The Governor has promised us his proposals on possible constitutional changes. Much of his difficulty springs from the

need to identify the wills and energies of the people of Hong Kong

with an alien government. An elected element, however indirect,

might help in this.

8.

But the overriding need is not to disturb the political

relationship with the Chinese. The more precise the convention of

indirect elections became, the greater would the risk of trouble

with the Chinese become.

9.

I recommend that Lord Goronwy-Roberts should probe

Mr Johnson's ideas and say that we will consider them, in consultation with the Governor; but should avoid any commitment at this stage.

Mr Johnson may also raise the broad question of labour

10.

relations.

It appears from news reports of the visit, that

Mr Johnson and Mr Ford were disappointed with the state of Hong Kong's labour relations and the failure of the trade unions to organise

themselves into a more effective political movement.

Hong Kong Mr Johnson also stressed the need for improved social

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