is not to say that we do not take him into our confidence, consult him whønever we can and perhaps modify our recommendations in the light of discussions with him.

The

line that we recommend the Minister to take is however not

always that which the Governor would recommend and it may

even involve the suggestion that pressure is brought upon the Governor to modify his or his Government's policies. In

such cases we of course warn him of the line the Minister

proposes to take, particularly if this involves some

disclosure outside the circle of the Governor and his

immediate official advisers. The Common Market brief is a

case where we think you ought to outline to the Governor

etc,

what the Minister is proposing to say to the Un fficials/ (Annex 'B') to make sure that in substance and presentation there are no unforsesen anags and that it will not embarrass

the Governor in his task of handling what might be a very

awkward problem for us in Hong Kong.

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