TNAG-0445-FCO40-510-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 80

The

sort of people as are on the Councils present. Governor explains his reasons in his telegram and suggests that any more radical changes might be left for other vacancies which will come up next year. Another important reason is that the Governor believes that substantial new taxation may be necessary next spring. This would have to be agreed with Executive and Legislative Councils (the unofficial members of LegCo comprise the Finance Committee). He does not wish to prejudice this important new development by introducing at this moment new types of members who, as explained in his despatch, could upset the cohesion of his advisers. A further point is that elections to the Urban Council are due early next year.

RECOMMENDATION

10. The Governor proposes that he should discuss his ideas with Lord Goronwy-Roberts during his present visit. This obviously makes sense. I believe that, subject to these discussions, we should agree to the introduction of a Member system.

This will involve a review of the number

of unofficials in Executive and Legislative Councils. Both for this reason and because four years may be rather a long time before the next radical look at the whole membership, it may be that the new proposed appointments should be for a rather shorter period in the first instance.

14 June 1974

cc: PS

PS/PUS

Mr Wilford

Mr Male

Mr Rushford

Mr Evans

Mr Champion

A C Stuart

Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Dept.

CONFIDENTIAL