CONFIDENTIAL
F
G
Henry Keswick
10. We understand that Sir Adrian Swire has expressed
concern that Keswick is using the Hong Kong Association for
the furtherance of Mathesons' own commercial interests and
does not support his attacks on HKG. Certainly, Swires have
not complained about HKG's regulatory proposals for the
Securities industry.
Singapore Airspace Industries (SAI)
11.
The Governor of Hong Kong has been informed by David Gledhill (Chairman of Swires) of a recruitment drive by SAI
to attract staff of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company
(HAECO), who maintain Cathay Pacific aircraft (HK telno 3503). So far, 25 HAECO staff have joined SAI, and Gledhill
believes that plans are afoot to recruit 30-40 more.
12. The Governor has written to the Sinapore Commissioner
to express his concern about this. He has also asked if we can do anything to help. It appears to sit ill with the
Singaporean Government's generally helpful attitude towards immigration from Hong Kong (including their scheme to allow
25,000 blue collar workers to go to Singapore).
13. Hong Kong has an open policy on emigration. This means treading a fine line between discouraging a brain drain on the one hand but not wishing to stand in the way of Hong Kong people pursuing career opportunities or obtaining foreign right of abode on the other. In view of this we
have asked the High Commissioner to Singapore to handle "with a light touch" any action he may take with the
Singapore authorities in support of the Governor (FCO telno
845).
14. Swires were the target of a previous "poaching"
exercise in 1989, when the Australian airline QANTAS
SAIAGK/8
CONFIDENTIAL