CONFIDENTIAL
As the Governor has put it, Hong Kong has a political need
for outward and visible signs of a special and beneficial
relationship with the United Kingdom. In practical,
commercial terms, if we are not able to make such a gesture,
we may run the risk of prejudicing the prospects of United
Kingdom contractors if the proposed underground in Hong Kong
goes ahead.
Maria
E O Laird
Hong Kong Department
10 March 1972
We
mut hope
hope that
if The Governor
foreverd with plas for airk HK, they read ot be financed in 1972/3 but can be defecard K1973/4. Ha a marker for about £500,000 for air but eqt
short
while
ago.
له
the Aid Committee
Ku
For
Two footnotes on Mr Laird's minute above:
(a)
On the bottom of the first page he refers
to Hong Kong's grievances on textiles and traffic rights. Any .grievances on this score are likely to be intensified if we do not come through with something after the Secretary of State's promise in Hong Kong to consider
2.
CONFIDENTIAL
/whether