TNAG-0733-FCO40-937-Inquiries-on-democracy-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 38

CA 216

CADENTIAL

FX 7C0 1019932 NOV 73

T. PRIORITY ONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

AKK OULS

Y no. 51

TELEGRAM RCMBCR 853 OF 19 NOVEMBER

PY TELNO 877: LORD BROCEWAY'S P3

'

1. ON FURTHER REFLECTION, WE BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE SUPPLEMENATRIES PAY GIVE TOO NEGATIVE AN IMPRESSION. WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO ANEBC THE RECOMMENDED REPLIES TO THE FIRST THREE SUPPLEMENTARIES TO READ

UOTE: WE HAVE NO SUCH PLANS AT PRESENT, BUT IN THIS AS IN OTHER FIELDS THE POSSIBILITIES FOR CHANGE ARE KEPT UNDER REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE KIGHES OF THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG, UNJUOTE,

2. WE ALSO PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING EXTRA SUPPLEMENTARIES: 12. VHEN WILL THE TIME BE APPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER SUCH CHANGES?

A. I CANNOT SAY AT PRESENT. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS WHICH MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, INCLUDING ESPECIALLY THE NEED TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE 14 HONG KONG.

713. WHAT NOTICE DO HMS TAKE OF THE VISUS EXPRESSED BY ELECTED URBAN COUNCILLORS?

A. WE WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE EXPRESSION OF OPINION FROM INFORMED PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THEN IN CONSIDERING, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MON THE TERRITJLY SPOULD BE ADMINISTERED.

*

334, IS IT NOT TRUE THAT THE EXCOUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ARE UNREPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?

A. IT IS THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY IN APPOINTING UNOFFICAL MEMBERS THE COUNCILS TO TRY TO MAKE THEM REPRESENTATIVE OF AS BROAD A CROSS- SECTION OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY AS POSSIBLE.

OVEN

FILES

HKGD (6)

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

MR.CORTAZZI

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG COVT.OFFICE,

LONDON.

MR.MURRAY

CONFIDENTIAL