TNAG-0442-FCO40-507-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1974 — Page 72

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RECORD OF MEETING

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FROM

R B Crowson

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MA 171

Department

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FLAC A

HONG KONG: MEETING HELD BY LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS AT 3 PM ON 23 MAY 1974: CONCLUSIONS

PRESENT:

Lord Goronwy-Roberts Sir Duncan Watson

Mr Wilford

Mr Youde

Mr A C Stuart

Mr R B Crowson

Mr AC Galsworthy

1. The meeting discussed policy in Hong Kong in the context of the forthcoming visit by the Governor and with reference to the attached annotated agenda.

(i) The future of Hong Kong

This was not

Lord Goronwy-Roberts said he agreed with the analysis of the problem in the annotated agenda.

the time for new moves.

(ii) Possible Constitutional Developments

Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that he would wish to hear the Governor's views. He would like to explore the possibilities of widening of the franchise for elections to the Urban Council and of some informal understanding by which elected members of the Urban Council might be nominated to Legislative Council. But a formal convention to this effect, or the introduction of a Ward system of elections,would risk Chinese opposition. This must be avoided.

(iii) Social Questions

Inflation was a major problem. The Minister said

he would want to have the Governor's frank views on the level of popular discontent about the rising cost of living.

CONFIDENTIAL

/Although