CONFIDENTIAL
as does HMG, all help the HK government and industry can give
to ensure that the VRAS not deliberately frustrated by transhipments
through HK other than legitimate HK entrepot trade].
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Bid for Royal Bank of Scotland
1.
Monopolies and Merger Commission report now with the Secretary
of State for Trade and will be published, probably in late January.
2. Not able to comment now on Commission's findings. Government
will have to reach its conclusions on them.
3. If asked. No reason to believe that HMG intends to introduce
general legislation to control bank takeovers7.
(186) 1981 MKKK 10215
4. Stand by statement on 18 November to Commons about banking
supervision in HK. HMG concerned to see HK and S Bank bid given
fair consideration.