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3.
He could also remind the Committee of his dissatisfaction with the present social composition of LegCo which the Governor shares. While, again, extreme care will need to be taken against the introduction of Chinese/KMT tensions, the way ahead would seem to be in the promotion to LegCo of people representing a greater social mix. The recent appointment of Mr Alex Wu, who is of comparatively modest means, is a step in the right direction and the Governor is well aware of Ministers' desires to see a LegCo more representative of the people as a whole. He is keeping a close watch on the rapidly developing Mutual Aid Committees with a view to identifying possible leaders.
14.
The present terms of membership of ten of LegCo's fifteen members expire in June 1976. However, at their meeting in April, the Governor warned Lord Goronwy-Roberts that appointment from a Mutual Aid Committee to LegCo would be a huge jump, comparable to direct appointment of a member of a ward committee to ministerial rank in the UK, and that it might not be possible to propose the first such appointment as early as next year. He added that it is in the interest of Britain as well as Hong Kong that LegCo should remain efficient; the experiment could not be rushed.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
17 July 1975
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