TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 123

Ans Elliot Said 70:

The Acting Secretary

Movement for Representation

in Government

35 Ming Fung Street

5th Floor

Fung Wong New Village Kowloon

Hong Kong

5th April 75

21

Dear Lord Goronwy-Roberts,

I am writing to you at the request of a substantial number of Hong Kong citizens who are forming the Movement for Represent- ation in Government. I am instructed to write to you in the following terms.

We have noted with considerable satisfaction your statement on January 16 this year of the British Government's policy towards Hong Kong. In particular we have noted that your Government will respect a desire by Hong Kong people for greater elected represent- ation in Government.

We believe that the need for such reform exists; that the desire for it is growing; and that Hong Kong people increasingly wish both to be informed about the possibilities for reforms and to secure reforms.

A number of people comprising a wide cross-section of our population have concluded that three reforms are attainable, and are yet consistent with the present harmonious relations between Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China and Great Britain.

1.

These three reforms are:

the election of all Unofficial Members of our Legislative Council;

2. the election of an Urban Council with greatly expanded authority, responsilities and financial resources;

3.

the direct election of both the above by popular vote on a broad franchise, eventially extended to each adult holding an idenity card.

We advocate these three reforms knowing they are consistent ? with your statement of policy of January 16. Further we would

neither advocate anything nor do anything which was not consistent with the present British policy; nor would we do or advocate any- thing which might prejudice the existing harmonious relations between Hong Kong and China. We are therefore confident that your Government will help the people of Hong Kong to attain the necessary reforms; and that you will not be deterred by the opposition here of a small but powerful, privileged and vociferous minority, a disproportionate number of whom are in public life.

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