CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 120

Page 120

29th January 1965

72

@he

164

Thank you for your letters of 15th and 19th January about political parties and political advance in Hong Kong

I realise that the constitutional arrange-ents in Hong Kong do not provide the environment in which political parties (as we know them) can develop and thrive.

With a full a preciation of the complications to

which you refer and the limitations on political advance which these impose, we shall in due course (as i said in the House on 26th Nove...ber) consider any ways in which

the people might be more closely associated with the

Government of the territory.

I should perhaya mention that the post of "Political

Adviser" is a bit of a misnomer and this has misled you

in the inference you have drawn, The function of the holder

of this post is to advise the Governor on matters of

external relations affecting Hong song; the post is accordingly filled by secondment from the roreign office.

Page 120

Page 120

J. RANKIN, ESQ., M.P.

Send

EIRENE WHITEPage 121 of 344