124 A
GR 163
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM FCO 041500Z
CONFIDENTIAL
ZORWELL/
CONFIDENTIAL
(HK)
TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 866 OF 4 SEPTEMBER, 1973
STERLING AGREEMENT
YOUR TELNOS 953 AND 954.
1. THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME A COPY OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS'
LETTER, PLEASE CONFIRM TO THEN THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THEIR REPRESENTATIONS SENT THROUGH YOU. I AM GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR PUTTING THEIR VIEWS SO FRANKLY.
2. WE ARE ALL FACING GREAT DIFFICULTIES IN THIS PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY AMONG WORLD CURRENCIES. HONG KONG'S PROBLEMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPLAINED TO US IN DETAIL BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. I HOPE THE MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BELIEVE THAT WE DO UNDERSTAND THESE DIFFICULTIES. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS ALREADY BEEN ASSURED THAT THE CHANCELLOR
WILL BE SENDING A FURTHER MESSAGE AND THIS WILL BE COMING WITHIN
A FEW DAYS.
3. THE GOVERNOR WILL BE HAVING FURTHER TALKS WITH ME AND MR ROYLE
DURING THE WEEK BEGINNING 19 SEPTE BER. I HOPE THAT IT MAY BE
POSSIBLE TO MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS THEN. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT
MR P C WOO HIMSELF WILL DE IN LONDON DURING THAT WEEK. MR ROYLE
WOULD GREATLY VALUE THE CHANCE OF A TALK WITH HIM DURING HIS VISIT.
DOU LAS-HOME
ORWELL DISTRIBUTION
FRD
HKIOD
PS
PS/MR ROYLE
CONFIDENTIAL