CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Aston's role in this respect to any great extent would be likely to place him on almost as delicate a tightrope as the Governor himself.
5.
But this need not necessarily mean that we ought not to give the idea some further thought, for I fear that Sir Patrick Reilly is probably right that, because of the political inhibitions on the Governor and his senior staff vis-à-vis the people of Hong Kong, in some ways Britain's case is going by default and the problems of our relations with the colony are in consequence being intensified.
6.
I should be grateful for views from yourself and Mr Youde.
7 November 1973
भ् Duc Wate
(Duncan Watson)
7
Copies to:
Sir T Brimelow
Mr Tebbit
Mr Youde
Mr Reddaway
CONFIDENTIAL