made it quite clear that no-one in Hong Kong is in serious want nor need feel humiliated at receiving Government assistance. He suggested that some of the pressure from the UK for improve- ments was because the Hong Kong scheme was not fully recognised or understood. Lord Goronwy-Roberts repeated his desire that the scheme, which he too saw as a forerunner of a wider set of measures, should be introduced as soon as possible.
21.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts then went on to remind the Governor of the continuing need to widen the base of the Legislative Council He also suggested extending elected status, which already applies to the Urban Council, to the District Advisory Boards. Sir Murray explained that elections to Urbco were not successful and members were not regarded as representative. The District Advisory Boards, as already proposed, were partially elective since they include the former village representatives and could thus be compared in some respects to parish councils in this country. Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed that, provided there is full and real participation, such machinery is perfectly democratic in its nature.
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22. On the question of UK/Hong Kong trade, Lord Goronwy-Roberts recognised the Governor's efforts and hoped that he would continue to secure as many large contracts as possible for British firms. Because of the considerable imbalance of trade any improvement would be very much in Hong Kong's interest. Sir Murray MacLehose explained that in his view UK/Hong Kong trade was the most important single aspect in relations between the two countries. His aim was to do as much as possible to get UK firms to take the market seriously, particularly since, for imported goods, it was four times as large as that of China. Prestige contracts were a help in providing publicity towards this end.
23. Mr Cortazzi suggested that the Governor make this point to the Secretary of State and Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed.
24. Lord Goronwy-Roberts suggested to the Governor that he might look again at the question of the appointment of a Diplomatic Service Officer as Chef du Cabinet. Sir Murray conceded that he occasionally felt the need for advice on the UK political dimension but felt that the best method to achieve this was by a process of education of officials in Hong Kong, although there had been occasions, most noticeable being the recent police unrest, when an expert on UK politics would have been invaluable. Mr Stewart gave examples of a number of lens dramatic incidents where he felt such advice would have been beneficial. He could not state categorically that there was a need for a full-time appointment but he has seen many cases where UK political considerations are overlooked. Lord Goronwy- Roberts agreed that such an appointment would be worthwhile even if he were not fully employed providing advice on ÚK reaction to Hong Kong measures.
5 December 1977
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