CONFIDENTIAL
this at Questions in the Lords on 4 Feb. The police are generally doing well and have recently achieved important successes against narcotics.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
9.
Parliamentary opinion here constantly raises the question of introducing an electoral system in Hong Kong. I sought to test extent of feeling on the subject in the colony. Overtly at least the great mass of Chinese show no interest but there are elements which though numerically small are increasingly articulate on the subject. I took the line publicly that if there were a genuine consensus in favour of change HMG would of course consider it. Even so we would need to gange very carefully reactions in Peking and this reservation is widely appreciated by the local people including those who favour chance. Some advances have been made: the Urban Council is part elected and a system of lutual Aid Committees which could he described as advisory parish councils has been successfully established. levertheless, we might now expand the membership of the Executive and Legislative Councils so as to include suitable people from sectors other than the professional and managerial, and to increase progressively the proportion of Chinese at all executive levels, including the highest.
10. in my judgment any dramatic change from appointment to election at the present time would evoke a reaction in China. We must avoid any situation in which they feel that they have no alternative but to intervene.
DEATH PENALTY
11. The vast majority of the population want its implementation. There is a very small but articulate minority who do not. The pressure on me was not, however, excessive even when i
CONFIDENTIAL
/ruled
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.