30
SECRET/DED IP
29
Enlin
り
DD 010100Z HONG KONG
GRS254
DE DI P
SECRET
HKK
100/7
RECHIVED IN REGISTRY
ERINE BUY 1983.
DESK OF
INDEXDERK
200CT 1983
PA
Action Takuul
DESKBY 010100Z
INDE
FM FCO 301645Z SEP 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 997 OF 30 SEPTEMBER
FOLLOWING PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM GIFFARD
YOUR TELNO 1452 AND YOUR TELECON WITH CLIFT: FINANCIAL
SITUATION
L. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER IS PROPOSING TO
THE PRIME MINISTER, WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
CONCURRENCE, TO ARRANGE FOR OFFICIALS FROM THE TREASURY
AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND TO FLY URGENTLY TO HONG KONG
TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF INDEBTEDNESS
SCHEME. THEY ARE GOODHART (CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER
TO THE BANK OF ENGLAND) AND PERETZ (ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN CHARQE OF THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DIVISION, TREASURY).
WE ASSUME THAT BLYE WILL THEREFORE NOT TRAVEL TO LONDON.
2. IT IS FULLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS VISIT SHOULD BE
CONDUCTED WITH THE UTMOST DISCRETION. IF HOWEVER THE
PRESENCE OF THE OFFICIALS IN HONG KONG BECOMES KNOWN
IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT THE FOLLOWINQ LINE MIQHT BE
TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES: 'THE OFFICIALS ARE
VISITING HONG KONG SIMPLY TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH
THE CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION. AS MR LUCE MADE CLEAR
IN A PUBLIC STATEMENT ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO HONG
KONG, THE ACTION TO DEFEND THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG
DOLLAR IS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.'
3.
SUBJECT TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S AGREEMENT, GOODHART AND PERETZ ARE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT BA003 DEPARTING LONDON 1700 ON 2 OCTOBER AND ARRIVING HONG KONG 1530
ON 3 OCTOBER. THIS WAS THE EARLIEST FLIGHT AVAILABLE.
THEY WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THEY COULD BE MET AND IF HOTEL
1
SECRET/DED IP
21865 1
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