TNAG-0588-FCO40-721-Publications-on-Hong-Kong-affairs-in-UK-Fabian-Society-pamph-1976 — Page 74

GPS 500 INMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 2208452

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NO 61 OF 22 JANUARY,

PLEASE PASS TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON,

FABIAN SOCIETY PAMPHLET.

COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.

(13

xX1(300/548

THE FOLLOWING ARE OUR COMMENTS WHICH WILL FORM THE BASIS OF

ANY OFFICIAL REPLIES MADE HERE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECOMMEND-

ATIONS MADE IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE PAMPHLET.

1. RECOMMENDATION. ESTABLISH A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY AND A

HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE.

COMMENT. THIS IS A MATTER FOR H.M.G. (IF YOU ARE ASKED TO COMMENT, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO REPLY THAT H.M.G. SEES NO NEED

FOR SUCH A COMMISSION),

2. RECOMMENDATION. PAYMENT FOR SERVICE ON EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE

COUNCILS.

COMMENT. THERE IS A LONG TRADITION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN HONG

KONG. NEVERTHELESS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY AT SOME TIME TO CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES IF THE ABSENCE OF THEM WOULD DETER SUITABLE

PERSONS FROM ACCEPTING APPOINTMENT.

3. RECOMMENDATION, LEGCO SHOULD BE EXPANDED

UNOFFICIALS,

OFFICIALS AND

COMMENT. LEGCO IS INCREASED IN SIZE FROM TIME TO TIME AS

CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE.

4. RECOMMENDATION. ELECTED REPRESENTATION ON LEGCO AND ULTIMATELY

ON EXCO.

COMMENT. THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG MAKE VERY DIFFICULT

ANY CONSTITUTIONAL PROGRESS ON THE PATH CUSTOMARILY FOLLOWED BY

DEPENDANT TERRITORIES.

5. RECOMMENDATION. GREATER TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND DEBATE IN

LEGCO.

COMMENT. LEGCO MEETS AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT LEGCO

BUSINESS. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE TIME AVAILABLE FOR THIS.

CONFIDENTIAL

16.