7.
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Chinese on some important details.
The Secretary of
State will not wish to raise it, but the Chinese may.
d) Illegal and legal immigration.
The former is not now really
an issue since the stricter repatriation policy has been such
a success. However, the number of legal immigrants remains
high at about 150 a day and defensive material is provided
(Brief No 11).
There are a number of other, less contentious, issues which
the Governor wishes to discuss, as well as meetings with Sir Y K Pao
19
and Sir L Kadoorie.
Briefs are provided (Briefs Nos 12 to B).
MEETING WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (UMELCO)
8. There are 9 Unofficial Members of the Executive Council.
Five
of them also serve on the Legislative Council, together with 19
other Unofficial Members. By taking part in the process of government,
the 28 Members of UMELCO provide an outside critical element and
serve as a public watchdog on the administration. Many of their
questions to the Secretary of State will be on topics which will
already have been discussed with senior officials, particularly
those in paragraphs 4 and 5 above. The Nationality Bill will
dominate. Sir S Y Chung and Mr O V Cheung, who saw the
Secretary of State in February, will certainly restate their position. A separate brief (No 20) is provided. A separate list
of Points to Make with UMELCO on other topics is also provided,
together with background notes. These cover points which are not
to be discussed with the Governor but which might be raised by
Unofficials., ie air services, plans to replace Kai Tak Airport and the recently-negotiated Defence Costs Agreement (Brief No 21).
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