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anti-British feeling generally is sufficiently widespread among Officials and Unofficials alike for it to be remarked upon by
influential visitors to the Colony.
26. The adoption of the policy recommended in this paper will still allow the Hong Kong Government to continue to represent the interests of the territory in matters where these differ from those of the United Kingdom eg trade in the EEC context. This is clearly right since the Hong Kong Government would otherwise lose all credibility in Hong Kong. But in general, the policy implies greater direction from London and greater accountability from Hong Kong. It follows that the Department dealing with Hong Kong affairs here will need to be much strengthened. Its members would need to be in much closer touch with Hong Kong officials to develop a more intimate working relationship. The need in short is for a continuous dialogue over a greater surface of policy to promote a wider identity
of purpose.
27. A desirable, even essential, feature of the arrangements should be the greater use of the various technical advisers both in the FCO and the ODM in such matters as eg social welfare. labour, and economics. Such advisers do pay occasional visits to Hong Kong but perhaps not frequently enough to affect policy. It would seem desirable for these advisers to be called in by the Hong Kong Government at the stage of planning future development in order to provide broader perspectives.
28.
One advantage of these proposals is that it should do something to lessen the burden on the Governor who at present acts as the main contact between Whitehall and the Colonial Government. For historical reasons (see paragraph 4 above) it would seem impossible to remove part of this burden by directly legislating for Hong Kong at Westminster. One device, however, of which greater use could be made is Ministerial Directive. This should not need to be used frequently if the greater consultation between officials on both sides envisaged above is successful in producing a greater identity of purpose. But there may well be occasions when conflict of view cannot be avoided and when, after due consultation with the Governor, a Ministerial decision will be needed to resolve matters.
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