TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 209

CONFIDENTIAL

representative and

accountable

the

government in

territory. It will however be essential to carry Unofficials with the new arrangements proposed.

8.

It will also be necessary to handle the presentation of this latest change with great care, and particularly insofar as amendments to the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance are concerned.

The controversy that arose in Hong Kong earlier this year over the passage of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Bill has served to make clear the great sensitivity of any constitutional change.

Any controversy over this proposed change would stimulate

further Chinese

Chinese concern over the effect that they fear constitutional changes may have upon Hong Kong's stability.

4 November 1985

Lo.G. Ehnmar

W G Ehrman

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL