CONFIDENTIAL
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
K(67)3
20th September 1967
COPY NO
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
CABINET
MINISTERIAL COMMITTED ON HONG KONG
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ASSISTANCE TO HONG KONG
Monorandum by Commonwealth Secretary
HWB
13
The key to our ability to hold the situation in Hong Kong is the naintenance of public confidonco, including Hong Kong's confidence in our intontions towards and support for the Colony. We must not only maintain
the moralo of the pooplo in Hong Kong and thoir will to resist Communist pressures, but also do all wo can to ensure that the economy is not soriously damaged. An economic rocossion in Hong Kong loading to unemploymont would provide roady material for Communist agitation, would quickly orodo public morale, and Hong Kong might soon become financially dependent on the United Kingdom.
2. We have boon discussing with the Governor of Hong Kong various projects
and measures through which we could show goodwill and support for Hong Kong
in their ordeal. I set out in the Annox, at this stago simply for the
information of my colleaguos, a brief description of various things wo aro now pursuing. It is not an exhaustive list: we are considering with the
Governor a number of other possibilitios as woll.
3. Thoro is a very difficult role to play in Hong Kong. Both economic and
political stability are vital but a degree of progressin the labour and
social fiolds also is naturally dosirable for its own sake and for its
effect on public moralo. Hong Kong has performed miracles in the field
of industrial dovolophont and in the absorption of more than a million rofugoos from China. Rohousing, and the provision of medical and oducational
services alone have boon mammoth undertakings, the cost of which has boon not ontirely by the Hong Kong Government. Progress in the field of labour logislation and social welfare present difficult problons but onos which
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