TNAG-0445-FCO40-510-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 41

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possible constitutional changes;

the Chinese

proposal for an official Representative in Hong Kongt and the question of the death penalty.

3.

On constitutional developments, the way to Representative Government is blocked by the Chinese, who would regard it as a nove towards indepen ence. In this situation the Governor believes that the best way to enlist the active cooperation and assent of the Chinese population is to appoint some local

unofficial Chinese to executive positions within his Government. These ideas need to be further refined but 1 believe that the underlying idea is right.

On the Chinese proposal for an Official Representative in long Kong, the Governor has explained to me the dangers for llong Kong. Such a Representative would inevitably be seen as an alternative and growing source of power in the Colony His appointment could lead to a collapse of confidenc not only business confidence, in the Colony. The present informal arrangements for cooperation with unofficial Chinese representatives in the Colony are working well. It is plain from Ted Heath's account of his talks in China that the Chinese Government do not set great store by their proposal. I think we would be wise to leave it alone.

5.

The death penalty presents us with substantial political difficulties. The Governor has represented to me that public opinion in Hong Kong is strongly in favour of the death penalty in extreme cases and does not understand why executions are prevented, as it thinks, for UK reasons that have nothing to do with Hong Kong. All my advice indicates that the Governor' assessment of the situation in the Colony is correct. On the other hand I do not believe that it would be possible for Ministers to allow another execution to take place in Hong Kong. There has been none since 1966 and last year Sir Alec Douglas-Home advised The queen to use Her residual Prerogative of Mercy to

prieve Hong Kong murderer who would otherwise have

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