engls notes Raf (18) (0)
on
Lagastaturi purel Executiers
24. Hong Kong (Cow) lis 10 on Pourage 11 of $142.64
25 Hong Kong (row) - Desp. 433 - Ref (18) (0) -6.2.64
(112) on 1960-62
papers, Part C.
(118) ditto
Mr Higham
-Ref(18)
In submitting for consideration the proposals for constitutional change put forward by the Governor in (24) and (25), I am taking the policy exchanges of 1962 as a starting point. Background material on the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Urban Council and Local Government in the New Territories is contained in notes prepared last year and placed behind (24).
2. Policy. In 1962 the Secretary of State accepted as policy the following recommendation by the Governor:-
11
.. in the future we should consider changes to constitution of Hong Kong (in so far as they affect the Executive and Legislative Councils) only in relation to the necessity for the improvement of the machinery of Government in terms of benefit to the community as a whole, and that, since representative government with eventual independence is not a possibility for Hong Kong, we should not indulge in the pretence of appearing to advance, by constitutional reforms, towards any such goal."
The Governor was told that the Secretary of State interpreted the phrase underlined above in a broad sense to include changes designed to improve Government's means of assessing public opinion or of improving its relations with the public (such as the addition of nominated members to the Legislative Council). It was emphasised that the Secretary of State would expect him "to keep the position constantly under review," pursuing any opportunity that might arise "to improve the machinery of Government by the nomination of additional members.
#
3. Trend of Public Opinion. In paragraph 2 of (25) the Governor has referred to "increasing interest in the subject of constitutional change," both within and outside the Colony.
4. Within the Colony present and former members of Councils have been canvassing their ideas (e.g. see paragraph 2 of Sir John Martin's letter at (10)). A group within the Hong Kong United Nations Association last year petitioned the United Nations Committee of Twenty-four asking for self- government (the petition was shelved). At the end of the year a political party was formed with the same goal in mind (its membership is apparently twenty). Clearly there is more interest, but (as always) no general support for any political | changes.
5. In Parliament, the adjournment debate at Easter, 1963, touched on constitutional issues. The full record is at (126) on 1960-62 papers (Part C). Mr Bottomley's contribution is summarised in paragraph 3 at (14). Dr Bray made a contribution and has pursued it in correspondence.
Mr Healey on a visit to Hong Kong in September last made some very guarded references (summarised in paragraph 7 at (14)). Mr Bottomley visited Hong Kong last month and it is probable we can expect his renewed interest. Our last parliamentary statement was in PQ1 Folder attached December last year when Mr Fisher said: "We are always ready to consider ways and means of increasing local representation within the present constitutional arrangements. But I have no statement to make at present.
11
6. In the international field we may have to face some examination of Hong Kong's constitutional position in the .N. Committee of Twenty-four which is by resolution committed to examine all remaining Colonial territories.
Page 11
Page 11
17.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.