CO129-558-11 Mission of Sir F. Leith-Ross to China- proposals for a Hong Kong - China customs... 29-9-1936 - 30-12-1936 — Page 97

D

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.

SECRET.

FINAL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD AT 3.30 P.M. ON JULY 29TH, 1936, IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE ROOM TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS ARISING OUT OF THE MISSION OF SIR FREDERICK LEITH-ROSS TO CHINA.

97

Present:

Sir Frederick Leith-Ross

(in the Chair)

Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen

Chief Economic Adviser to

H.M. Government.

- H.M. Ambassador-designate

to China.

Mr.

V.B. Brown

Mr. L. Browett J.J. Wills

Mr.

Mr. A.R. Fraser

Mr. C.V. Jardine

Sir Edward Crowe

Mr. C.7. Orde

Mr.

F.T.A. Ashton-Gwatkin

Sir John Fratt

-

Board of Trade.

Department of Overseas

Trade.

Foreign Office.

A.

Mr. S.D. aley

Mr. N.3. Young

}

M

H.M. Treasury.

Mr. F.H. Nixon

Mr. 3.V. Jones

}

-

Export Credits Guarantee

Department.

Mr. R. V.

} }

Colonial Office.

Bank of England.

Vernon

Mr. G. E.J. Gent

Mr. R. N. Kershaw Mr. D.L. Hogg

Position of Hong

Kong.

SIR FREDERICK LEITH-ROSS said that the object of the

meeting was to take a preliminary survey of the questions

shown on the paper circulated before the meeting, (annexed)

in order that he might be in a position to frame definite

recommendations to the Cabinet regarding British trade

with China. He would like to receive the considered views

of the Departments concerned by 1st September.

At the

request of Mr. Vernon, he would begin by discussing the

position of Hong Kong, as the question he wished to raise

under this head was independent of the other matters to

be discussed.

Although Hong Kong was economically part of Chine, she

had the Chinese tariff against her and was, therefore,

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