asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement with regard to the provision of a municipal council or for elected representatives to the Legislative Council of the Colony of Hong Kong.

A motion by unofficial members of the Legislative Council on the subject of constitutional reform is down for debate in Hong Kong today. I expect to receive shortly the Governor's recommendations in the light of this debate.

Can my right hon. Friend say, in view of the long delays which have attended consideration of other proposals for representative Government in Hong Kong, how long he thinks consideration of these recommendations will take on this occasion?

The Hong Kong Legislative Council is considering the question today, and it would be unwise for me to make any statement until I hear from the Government.