TNAG-0731-FCO40-935-Appointments-to-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 105

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HONG KONG: APPOINTMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

See (30)

31

1. Mr Luard has received a letter from Mr Chan Kiong, Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Shanghai Tailoring Free Workers Union,

2. Mr Chan argues that there is a need for greater worker representation amongst the Unofficial appointed members of the

Council.

There is currently one trade unionist on LegCo,

Mr Leung Tat-shing, Secretary of the International Affairs Department of Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Council, although Mr Chan is mistaken in believing that there is a reserved place for an official Labour representative on the Council. Mr Leung's appointment expires at the end of August but we have heard nothing from the Governor to suggest that it will not be renewed. The Governor shares Ministers' view that representation on LegCo should be broadened and agrees that increased trades union representation is desirable in principle. The problem lies in finding suitable candidates.

3. Mr Chan is not known to this Department

while appoint-

ments to LegCo are theoretically made by the Secretary of State, and are indeed approved by an FCO Minister, they are made strictly on the Governor's recommendation.

4. I, therefore, recommend that Mr Luard should reply to Mr Chan along the lines of the attached draft. I also recommend that the reply be sent through the Governor; if Mr Luard agrees, could the letter be returned to me after signature?

12 June 1978

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INDEX

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 40, 38,

Levang

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong & General Dept

1

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