TOP SECRET AND PERSONAL GUARD F1071/16/G
Page 162
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
April 24, 1957.
1724
II
Thank you for your letter D/PL of March 26 about our briefs for the proposed Anglo-American talks on the Far East.
(E)
2*
You will now have seen from my letter to de la Mare of April 17 that we have suggested that, in view of the discussions at Bermuda and of Dulles's statement on China to the 3.E.A.T.0. Council, no purpose would be served by trying to pursue talks on China with the State Department at present. You will have seen from the same letter that we are still considering the question of Hong Kong and do not yet know when, or indeed whether, we shall wish to talk to the Americans on this aspect.
3. The position is that the Working Party report on Hong Kong, which I understand was shown to the Governor last year, which might have formed the basis for any approach to the Americans, has become very largely out of date with the October riots, reductions in the garrison and rethinking by the Planners on the whole question of defence. I have accordingly suggested to Jack Johnston that it needs drastic revision, in the course of which we should consider again the defence question and the desirability, or otherwise, of making any approach to the Americans. We hope to have a new draft ready to show to Gaff David when he comes on leave. We shall certainly consult you over any brief prepared for any talks with the Americans but, as you can see, the question is not likely to arise for some time.
4. As regards the off-shore islands, I think that the latter part of the argument in our brief is true, though I take your
It looks, point that it might invite a retort about Hong Kong. however, as though, for the time being at least, the question is going to remain academic.
5. I have shown your letter to Jack Johnston and am sending him a copy with a copy of this reply. I should like to send copies also to de la Mare and Mackintosh and to O'Neill and Franklin, in the last two cases for destruction after perusal, and hope that you will not see objection to this. In view of the last paragraph of your letter I am not, however, doing so until I hear from you.
R.T.D. Ledward, Esq.,
Hong Kong.
Page 162
(P.G.F. Dalton)
Pagé F6 APR f 1957
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