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3
said that if this were done he doubted whether it would be possible
for him to conclude the agreement on Hong Kong defence costs
negotiated with the Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence.
I mentioned this point to Mr Statham this morning so that he could,
if necessary, have account taken of it in the briefing for the
Secretary of State before Cabinet tomorrow. But I told Sir M Maclehose
that I thought that no one at this stage could give him any firm
commitment in respect of import controls and I dropped him a gentle
warning against the danger of seeming to opinion in Whitehall to be
overlooking British interests because of his understandable
preoccupation with those of the British Colony entrusted to his
guidance. I think he took the point.
6.
He is anxious to see the Secretary of State while he is in
London and I strongly recommend that, if at all possible, the
Secretary of State should see him briefly,
7.
We also agreed that he would come and have a further talk
with me before he returns to Hong Kong early in January.
3 December 1975
CC
Private Secretary
PS/Lord Goronwy Roberts
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Male
Mr Faber
Mr O'Keefe Mr Bentley
CONFIDENTIAL
of
Michael Palliser