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be prepared to have his name put forward; but it is possible
that Dr Huang may not be able to accept because of his
commitments to the University.
4.
In a written answer to a Parliamentary Question on 24
February, Miss Lestor told Mr Fletcher Cooke that the method
of nomination of Unofficial Members of LegCo enables the Council to work effectively for the best interests of Hong Kong. She added that we were considering with the Governor the best means of ensuring that all shades of opinion in Hong Kong are effectively expressed in the Council. The best prospect of widening LegCo's membership does seem to lie in selecting one or two outstanding individuals from the Mutual Aid Committees, and it is suggested that Lord Goronwy-Roberts should ask the Governor whether he hopes to be able to propose the first of these appointments in 1976.
FLAG H
5. Lord Goronwy-Roberts may also wish to mention that Mrs Elsie Elliott has asked to call on him later this month, to discuss the possibility of introducing elected membership on LegCo. Referring to Lord Goronwy-Roberts's press conference in Hong Kong, Mrs Elliott has asked on what basis the British Government would judge the 'desire' of the Hong Kong community for elected representation; and she has suggested that, after an appropriate programme of public education, Hong Kong should have a referendum
on the matter. Lord Goronwy-Roberts will probably wish to remind Mrs Elliott of the special circumstances which make it very difficult to make any rapid change to the present form of government. A referendum would almost certainly not be welcomed by the Chinese Government; but it would be useful to hear the Governor's views.
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department
7 April 1975
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