CONFIDENTIALS
CC: In Stewart
(HKGD)
File
Have Kong
8.
MINUTES OF THE ROUND UP MEETING WITH SENIOR ECONOMIC
ADVISER, FCO HELD IN SES'S OFFICE ON 8 JULY 1977 AT 11.00 a.m.
लाठ
Present :
8
Whilten
Jals
Mr. D T K Wong, Secretary for Economic Services
(Chairman)
Mr. D W A Blye, Secretary for Monetary Affairs
Mr. H Ching, Deputy Financial Secretary
Mr. D Stanton, Principal Assistant Secretary (Economic
Services) D
Mr. A Smith, Senior Economic Adviser, FCO
Mr. J Yam, Senior Economist (Secretary)
Mr. Smith said that his visit formed part of the regular pattern of visits of FCO officials to Hong Kong. He explained that he had on his agenda for discussions during his visit the following topics:
(a) The 1977-78 Budget
(b) The Economy 1977
(c) The Report of the Third Inland Revenue Ordinance
Review Committee
(d) The Draft World Bank Report
He added that he would also like to receive views on any economic and financial matters where advice from London could be useful. He said he believed that visits to Hong Kong by FCO officials ensured a greater understanding of all economic and financial subjects here and was grateful for the time people had spent with him.
2.
SES asked whether there were any specific issues that required clarification. Each of the four topics on Mr. Smith's agenda were subsequently discussed and the following were noted :
3.
Mr. Smith explained that he would not wish at this stage to discuss Budget policy matters and he was here principally to take note of aspects which the Hong Kong Government thought desirable to highlight to FCO. Furthermore the Financial Secretary was not present and it was possible that the FCO would wish to communicate with him on this subject.
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