TNAG-0445-FCO40-510-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 18

egistry

No. HKK 3/548/12 DRAFT

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PS/M. Eunals PS/Lod G.R

35/PUS Mh. Wilfed

Sin D. Watson M. Male

Ka

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Govenor. Amb-reking Defence depl

FED.

MEETINGS BETWEEN LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG ON 18 AND 20 JUNE (BOTH AT 11.00 am)

Fresent:

Lord Goronwy-Roberts

Sir D Watson

Mr K M Wilford (for part of (20 June

Mr E Youde

only

Mr P J E Male (18 June only)

Mr A C Stuart

Sir M MacLehose

Mr S T Kidd,

Hong Kong Commissioner

Mr R M Evans (for part of each meeting) Mr W Bentley (for part of

for part of ech meeting)-

Mr A C Galsworthy

Mr B H Dinwiddy

1.1

1. The Future and Current Situation of Hong Kong

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.

2.

2.1

Possible Constitutional Developments

Because of the inherent dangers of schism and the difficulty of presenting such an innovation to the Chinese, Sir M 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

(3002) Dmd. 145244 400M 10/73 L.Ltd. 839/1

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