TNAG-0489-FCO40-554-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1974 — Page 61

possibility of elected members for Hong Kong's

Legislative Council. As you know, the circumstances

of Hong Kong are special and make difficult any

development towards an elected form of Government.

This principle applies even to the filling of a few

seats by elections. There are, however, other means

of consulting public opinion in Hong Kong such as the

Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils

(UMELCO) who maintain a successful office for

consultations with and complaints from members of the

public. The City District Officers Scheme is another

channel for communication between the public and the

Government. In addition the Government are advised by

a wide network of committees in which a large number of

the public are involved. The Urban Council, a partly

elected and partly nominated body, also looks after

specialised functions in the Urban area.

I shall of course be getting in touch with you

when we hear from Hong Kong as a result of the

Independent Commission Against Corruption enquiries

into Mr Ellis's case.

I am returning Mr Ellis's two letters.

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