Copied & HKIL 2577
CONFIDENTIAL
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917
Yes. This is the answer. A representative of- HMG woul
Stiose.
Mr. Wilford
Mr. Rippon's visit to Hong Kong
On some of the points set out in Mr. Tickell's minute
of 30 September we are already doing what we can on
Hong Kong's behalf. I have in mind in particular the question of whether Hong Kong should be a beneficiary
under the scheme for generalised preferences; the efforts we are making to combat increasing protectionism in the
United States; and admission of KLM to landing rights at
Hong Kong.
2. I am not clear what functions Mr. Tickell envisages for a British Government Representative in Hong kong (paragraph 2 of his minute). Save in wartime (e.g. West Africa), I do not think we have ever had such a person in a Colony which had not reached so high a degree of responsible government that the Governor had no effective powers (e.g. the U.K.
Commissioners in Singapore and Malta in the last stages before independence and the High Commissioner in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland). Even in dependencies with a high degree of self-government and self-sufficiency (e.g. India under the Viceroys) such appointments were very
rare. And, surely, rightly the Governor is appointed by the Secretary of State and is under his directions: really room for another representative of the Secretary of State, to deal "diplomatically" with the Governor on questions on which the Governor can and should submit his views and
receive his instructions direct?
is there
J.R.a. Brrowly
J.R.A. Bottomley
1 October, 1970
Copies to: Private Secretary
Miss Deas
Mr. Daunt
Sir C.O'Neill
Sir L. Monson Mr. Ford
Mr. Laird Mr. Robinson Mr. Statham
Mr. Hanbury Tenison
Mr. Tickell
agree
No. There is
not. I
Scott
with the lost sentence
So does Mi
Your munte.
Kun hrifin
CONFIDENTIAL
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