SECRET AND PERSONAL
21 September 1979
C B Benjamin Esq
Under Secretary
International Industrial and Commercial Policy Division Department of Industry Abell House
John Islip Street
LONDON SW1
AKCK. Quale..
RAVEL IN REGISTY MO.
2 4 SEP 1979
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HONG KONG - NEW TERRITORIES LEASES
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1. I understand from one of your staff that you and John Lippitt would like further information about the item on Hong Kong that appeared in the list of forthcoming announcements sent to No.10 Downing Street by Stephen Wall last month. referred to proposals on land leases in the New Territories; I believe you are concerned about the possible implications for British firms with investments in Hong Kong.
2. For your personal information, I enclose a copy of a brief on the subject which we recently prepared for our Minister of State, Peter Blaker, who is visiting Hong Kong next week. You will appreciate that this is a highly sensitive matter since the premature revelation of what we are proposing to do if the Chinese do not object could lead to highly damaging speculation. Knowledge of our intentions, and of the exchanges which have taken place with the Chinese, has been restricted to a very small number of people here and in Hong Kong. I should therefore be grateful if you would ensure that the information in the attached brief is treated with particular care.
RJT McLaren
Hong Kong and General Department
SECRET AND PERSONAL