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as of experience and ability. I have explained that this could be done by first organising and
steadily encouraging grass-roots organisations such as Mutual Aid Committees and Area Committees, first started in 1973, and subsequently by using them as a new source for appointments to the many advisory committees and this is already being done and eventually to the Legislative Council itself. Though in practical terms it is still a little early, I accept the calculated risk involved and have under- taken to recommend some people from this new source for appointment in June this year. The process of selection is well advanced and I will be making my proposals within the next two months.
22.
It has been the tradition that unofficial members of Legislative Council should be appointed from people who have gained recognition and respect in the community by successful participation in community affairs, whether in the subvented agencies and charitable organisations or in advisory committees, both of which are such a feature of Hong Kong. Success in business or a profession has never in itself commanded or of course barred eligibility. I am not proposing any departure from this principle, but rather its expansion to the whole population through the opportunities for participation now being progressively offered to all through the Mutual Aid Committees and Area Committees. The essence of the approach I have proposed is therefore the substitution in the special circumstances of Hong Kong of the principle of "participation" for the normal principle of election. It is a principle well established in Chinese tradition and it is well unbrstood here and will I believe have cosmetic value in Westminster.
The size of the Legislative Council and preservation of the UMELCO concept
23.
The present Unofficial membership
of the Legislative Council is 15. I intend to propose an increase this year of about 6 of which two or three would come from very different backgrounds to the present membership. I am in touch with the Department about the desirability of coupling this with equivalent appointments to maintain the official majority and thus the special responsibility of the
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