(3) The Dutch might ask us awkward questions
about the future of Hong Kong ; they might even want guarantees for a loan, or onerous terms reflecting the risk. They would surely tend to offer less than the true market value of these landing rights on the not unreasonable grounds that they were investing in an Airport with an uncertain future.
(4) Would we not be creating a dangerous
precedent? I would expect the Board of Trade so to argue. We might be faced with similar requests to ourselves when seeking traffic rights in less developed countries.
5. I should be grateful if you would give this Treasury suggestion your consideration. It is true, as Mr. Steel says, that this matter has taken a long time and you may see advantage in the meeting which he suggests might be called.
6. I attach for your information a copy of a minute to Mr. O'Brien (F.P.A.D.) dealing with other aspects of the Treasury's letter.
1 April, 1969
(W. S. Carter)
Hong Kong Department
;