Mr. Brind
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2.
HONG KONG: EEC Consultations
We spoke on the telephone about this.
I would much rather that we gave a fuller answer to the questions in paragraph 1 of Hong Kong telegram No. 475. It seems to me that the second sentence of the first paragraph of your draft does not really deal with the points raised by Hong Kong.
3. Naturally, being in Hong Kong Department, I hope that we can see our way to permitting the Hong Kong Administra- tive Commissioner to attend the briefing meetings in London for representatives of Commonwealth countries. I under- stand the difficulties arising from the fact that Hong Kong is a Crown Colony. Nevertheless, our negotiations with the EEC are far more important to Hong Kong than they are to many independent Commonwealth countries and, economically, Hong Kong stands head and shoulders above any other
There is also, of course, the presentational point. It is important, in my view, that we should do everything we can to demonstrate to the people of Hong Kong that we are consulting with other representa- tives.
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4. If, however, it is decided, simply because Hong Kong is a colony, that it would be wrong for us to invite the Administrative Commissioner to the London briefing meetings then I think the position should be explained to the Governor frankly, and other arrangements made to brief Hong Kong.
5. As regards your paragraph 2, I would prefer something on the following lines :-
"We suggest that the proposal in your paragraph 2 should be discussed with Denman during his visit next month. Owing to holidays it will not be easy for us to arrange a meeting until the autumn."
6. I do not think any harm will be done by delaying a reply to Hong Kong while the Governor's request is being considered.
20 July, 1970
E. 0. Laird)
Hong Kong Department