TNAG-0518-FCO40-613-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 96

SECRET

5. WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT LIES BEHIND THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S INTEREST, I AM RELUCTANT TO ADVISE ON THE TERMS OF A REPLY, BUT SUGGEST IT SHOULD TAKE THE LINE THAT AFTER NEW APPOINT- MENTS AMOUNTING TO ONE-THIRD OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP LAST YEAR THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT CONSIDER THERE IS ROOM FOR FURTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THIS YEAR, BUT THAT CONSULTATIONS WITH HIM ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL IN THE LONGER TERM CONTINUE.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HRIOD (4)

PS

PS/LORD GORONNY-ROBERTS SIR D WATSON

-2-

SECRET