Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1
Telephone 01-
la
7/
7པ་་་
T W Aston Esq CMG
Senior British Trade Commissioner HONG KONG
Your reference
Our reference
HKK 5/1
Date
17 August 1973
LAST
(100)
1.
Ret:
As both Andrew Stuart and Dick Crowson are away from the office I am replying to your letter of 8 August concerning our lack of briefing on the position regarding renewal of the Sterling Agreements. I have also discussed your request with Michael Wilford.
2.
We realise how frustrating this must be for you. I am afraid however that in view of the extreme delicacy of this subject we have to ask you not to discuss this either with the media or with businessmen.
3.
We have not sent out general background guidance to our Embassies and High Commissions about sterling and the Sterling Agreements. What they have received has enabled them to carry out instructions to talk to, and where necessary negotiate with, the other Governments concerned. However, the constitutional position in Hong Kong means, as you know, that we deal with the Government direct.
4. I attach for your own personal background only some basic points which you may find of some use.
FC
FRD (LEUTY)
SECRET
M A Goodfellow
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department
(17259) Dd,897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
(16941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863