MF 23/1
18
all
18/0
Mr. Mackenzie (Financial Policy and Aid Department,
G 132C/2)
It is very unfortunate that the Despatch at (45) should have been sent to Hong Kong when we all agreed before the issue that it would be un- suitable to send a copy unless the covering letter accompanied the Despatch to explain why Hong Kong was not really concerned at this stage. I under- stood that Sir Arthur Galsworthy proposed to send a covering letter with it.
2. I have prepared a first draft of a letter which Sir Arthur Galsworthy might agree to send to the Financial Secretary and I should be grate- ful if you would look at it. In so far as the letter deals with Hong Kong's eligibility for aid I suppose it would be for your Department to submit the draft. But one of the reasons why it is, I think, necessary to put a special Hong Kong gloss on the Despatch is that their application for a loan to extend Kai-Tak Airport is still under consideration and we - at least until lately - in this Department have been dealing with that appli- cation. It may be better therefore if the draft is submitted by us. But in any case before it is finalised I should like to have it back so Mr. Carter can look at it.
3. You may consider that we should make some reference in the letter to the limited aid Hong Kong has received in the past from CDW funds. If you do I should be grateful if you would add to the draft accordingly.
4. I am afraid that there is no hope now of meeting the deadline of this weekend. But that does not matter I think, now that Hong Kong have been warned to expect an explanatory letter.
RoRo K51/12)
4.1.
(H. H. Stewart)
Hong Kong Department
The draft. - cops below - K 245 Tel MA 625
hile of cause, rations
tros
Mluv 215
Copy to:
File HKK 5/13 555/13
2 May, 1969