CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 263

of 34417.

9th November, 1963.

The Most Hon. The Marquess of Lansdowne,

Colonial Office,

Church House,

Great Smith Street, S.W.1.

Dear Lord Lansdowne,

Thank you very much for your letter of 29th October. I am glad that you have been able to visit Hong Kong recently, and I do hope you will take the opportunity of making a statement, or, even better, initiating a debate, on Hong Kong, in the House of Lords in the near future. I would be grateful if you could let me know if you have any plans to do so.

Hong Kong persistently fears that it is forgotten, and mention of Hong Kong in Parliament has an effect in Hong Kong out of all proportion to the effort it requires at home.

I am, of course, familiar with the background of the housing and population situation in Hong Kong which you describe in your letter. I look forward to hearing from you in reply to the points made by Mrs. Elliot. The delay by the Hong Kong Government in taking action on the water supply situation in the colony generally typifies the great difficulty there is in Hong Kong in getting people to face any

fundamental question. unduly convinced that it is as in the

long-term interest and short-term efficiency in

Hong Kong to have a fuller discussion on policy than there is at the moment. I do hope the appointment of a new Governor will be made the opportunity. for wide ranging discussions within the Colonial Office, on the more fundamental questions affecting Hong Kong.

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