CONFIDENTIAL
2
as the present LEGCO; but they were sometimes of a lower
calibre.
5.
www br
On the question of the powers of the Urban Council, Sir Murray commented that, in Hong Kong, there was not gops for a second tier of Government with wide powers.
Hong Kong was too small for fragmentation.
The Urban Council
If an
franchise might be extended but not its functions. extension of franchise gave rise to claims for an extension of fonetikim H* newer it would have to be registedi
Village
and Mutual Aid Committees, representing about a million people were, in fact, a more genuine expression of popular opinion than the Urban Council which represented about ten thousand
voters.
6.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed that we should leave the Urban Council where it is as to function, but
In case of a move should consider expanding the franchise. on the latter he accepted that any expansion of function must be resisted. The degree of existing public participation through Village and Mutual Aid Committees was not fully under- stood in the UK. He would be able to explain the true situation on his return. He accepted the difficulties of changing the method of appointment to LEGCO. If, before the end of his visit, there were other thoughts about possible developments, there would be time to discuss them later.
¡CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.