W(B)L 51-7406
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
field. As for using part of Hong K ̧ng's
reserves held in the U.K. to aid her
economy, this would be primarily a matter
for the Hong King Government to decide
in the light of their wider responsibilities.
It is naturally a subject we would be happy
to discuss with the Hong K'ng Government
if they should so wish.
$.
I should like to end by assuring you
that the British Government is very well
aware both of the interest of Hong Kong
in our negotiations and of the questions
which the success of negotiations would
raise for her. Notwithstanding what
you say about Hong Kong being in no position
to negotiate of bargain, the Governor and
his officials are most assiduous in their
defence of the Colony's economic well-being.
My own recent visit to the territory was
a most useful opportunity for me to review
this question and to study the conditions
of the territory at first hand. And
since I agree with you that the British
Government has a strong interest in the
maintenance of a prosperous Hong Kong,
we shall continue to give careful
consideration to the representations she
makes to us and take account of them so
far as possible during negotiations.
(118281) Dd. 391599 1,500M 2/69 Fw.