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and relationship which should subsist between a
Colony and the responsible power. In recent
weeks our relations have hit a particularly low
I taken at very short artice to imbose) point as a result of HMG's decision, te quotas
as well as the tariff on imports of cotton
textiles. Talks,
this are at
at present suspended.
TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR
3. The present Governor, Sir Murray MacLeho se,
has been in office for less than three months.
August 1970 the Secretary of State wrote to Sir
In
David Trench about free compulsory primary education, (ow achieved)
the housing of squatters and the appointment of an
Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
Ombudsman.
It is not suggested that the
Secretary of State should take the initiative in
raising any of these matters during this visit
(a defensive brief will be available). Sir
Murray MacLehose is very alive to the Secretary
of State's interest in these and other questions,
but has not as yet had time to assess for himself
the general situation in the Colony.
4.
There are in fact no particular matters which
we would wish the Secretary of State to raise with
the Governor. For his part, Sir Murray MacLehose
has told us that he would like to discuss (i)
expatriate staffing problems and (ii) developments
in the world's trading system and their effect on
Hong Kong. Briefs are being prepared.
MEETING WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS
5. Sir Murray MacLehose has suggested that the
questions likely to be raised with the Secretary
ChA an
jell swing
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/of
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