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C.D. & W. Funds over the next few years for this purpose. It is too early to say what the prospects are of obtaining an allocation for Hong Kong.
C.
Royal Visit for opening of Plover Covo in September/October 1968
It
This was discussod on the 11th October in the Royal Visits Committee. We understand from Sir Savillo Garner that objections wore raised to the suggestion that the Duke of Edinburgh should visit Hong Kong for this purpose both on the grounds that this would be very difficult to fit into his present programme and on the grounds that he was tog near to the Throne. was considered that it would be botter for another member of the Royal Family to undertake this duty, but it was felt that a decision must be postponod for a fer months to see how conditions in, and relations with, China progressed.
Support for Hong Kong's Export Credit Insurance Corporation
D.
Hong Kong's Export Credit Indusrance Corporation was set up at the end of 1966 and performs largely the same functions as the United Kingdom's Export Credit Guarantee Corporation. The danger of such bodies accepting over-risky business is much reduced if they have adequate and up-to-date reports on tho economic situation in various countries and their work is much facilitated if they are kept informed of foreign import and export control regulations. E.C.G.D. have access to such material which is supplied by British Missiona abroad, but the Hong Kong Corporation do not, except in respect of the fow countries in which they have their own trade representatives.
It has not been possible to arrange for the Hong Kong Corporation to be
The reasons given given copies of reports, etc., sent by our posts to London. are that posts are too busy to be charged with yet anothor duty, that if Hong Kong is supplied, thon other Cormonwealth countries might be prompted to soek similar facilities, that material in the reports is often confidential and
and sources would dry up if it bocano known that Hong Kong was in on the net, also that Hong Kong is sometimes in competition with the United Kingdom who
In the view of this must therefore koop sone cards close to its chest. Department none of these arguments are conclusive and tho valuo of assistance to Hong Kong excoods the extra work and thought required.
At its nocting on 22nd September the Ministerial Committee on Hong Kong agreed that Hong Kong's requirements should be determined and investigation mado as to how far it was practicablo and desirable for H.M.G. to moet thom; the Ministor should discuss the proposal further during his visit.
In August tho Financial Secretary wrote to say that Hong Kong's inmediato
requirements woro:-
(a) copies of the reports on import and export control
regulations of other countries which it is believed are sont to 3.C.G.D. in London as a matter of routino;
(b) copies of the periodical Economic Reports which oversoas
posts preparod and sont to departments in London.
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/The Mihistor