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the Hong Kong Government's social programme. I do not think there is any rush about this and there might be advantage in first awaiting the Governor's reply to Lord Goronwy-Roberts' letter of 27 April about appointments to Legco in case that should answer our point;

(h) Mr Murray said 'at the end of the Standing Committee's meeting that he thought that a letter to the Governor on the question of redistribution of income should be put "at the bottom of the pile". I think we should interpret this as meaning that action at (a), (b) and (c) above should have priority;

I

(i) Mr Duffy and I are not sure that the conclusion at the Standing Committee's meeting about action in respect of the Governor's letter of 4 May with regard to the application of ILO Conventions was as clear-cut as Mr David has suggested. think it would be sufficient for us to submit to Lord Goronwy- Roberts when we have received a report from Hong Kong, requested by 1 October, on the progress they are making in carrying out this year's programme of applications. In any case, Mr Duffy tells me that Lord Goronwy-Roberts has endorsed the proposition that he (Mr Duffy) put to the Minister's Private Secretary that no action is called for on the Governor's letter beyond the department's continuing to watch developments.

2.

With regard to the minutes of the Standing Committee's meeting, I think that what Mr David has written in about the discussion on the budget could be seen by Lord Goronwy-Roberts without prejudice to the Governor's request that we should not submit views without first giving Hong Kong a chance to comment. I think, therefore, that the minutes, after clearance with Mr Hurst, Mr Smith and Mr Murray/Mr Cortazzi, could be finalised in the usual way.

yes

yes

|lagnen

yes

23 May 1977

D.F. Millou

D F Milton

Hong Kong & General Dept K 247

233 4381

forhallen thank you. you will have seen my comments in the margin. On 2. Leties clear them wits wiesmy Hust, Surity, many /Canlazzi ce n'et then discuss the question of Sobmission. In the mesen while 1(a) is argent- Jakes 2573

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