CONFIDENTIAL
2
C.D. & W. Funds over the next few years for this purpose. It is too carly to say what the prospects are of obtaining an allocation for Hong Kong.
C.
Royal Visit for opening of Plover Cove in September/October 1968
This was discussed on the 11th October in the Royal Visits Committee. We understand from Sir Saville Garner that objections were raised to the
suggestion that the Duke of Edinburgh should visit Hong Kong for this purpose both on the grounds that this would be very difficult to fit into his
It present programme and on the grounds that he was too near to the Throne. was considered that it would be better for another member of the Royal Family
to undertake this duty, but it was felt that a decision must be postponed for a four months to soo how conditions in, and relations with, China progressed.
Support for Hong Kong's Export Credit Insurance Corporation
D•
Hong Kong's Export Crodit Indusrance Corporation was set up at the end of 1966 and performs largely the same functions as the United Kingdon's Export Credit Guarantee Corporation. The danger of such bodies accepting over-risky business is much reduced if they have adequate and up-to-date reports on the
economic situation in various countries and their work is much facilitatod if
they are kept informed of foreign import and export control regulations. E.C.G.D. have access to such material which is suppliod by British Missions abroad, but the Hong Kong Corporation do not, except in respect of the fow countries in which they have their own trade representatives.
į
It has not been possible to arrange for the Hong Kong Corporation to be given copies of reports, etc., sont by our posts to London. The reasons given arc that posts are too busy to be charged with yet another duty, that if Hong Kong is supplied, then other Cormonwealth countries might be prompted to seek similar facilitics, that material in the reports is often confidential and
and sources would dry up if it bocano moim that Hong Kong was in on the net, also that Hong Kong is sometimes in competition with the United Kingdom who must therefore keep some cards close to its chest. In the view of this Department none of those arguments are conclusive and the value of assistance to Hong Kong excoods the extra work and thought required.
At its meeting on 22nd September the Ministerial Committee on Hong Kong agreed that Hong Kong's requirements should be determined and investigation mado as to how far it was practicablo and desirable for H.M.G. to meet them; the Minister should discuss the proposal further during his visit.
In August the Financial Secretary wrote to say that Hong Kong's inmediato
requirements woro:-
(a) copies of the reports on import and export control
regulations of other countries which it is believed are sont to 3.C.G.D. in London as a matter of routine;
(b) copics of the periodical Economic Reports which overseas
posts proparod and sont to dopartments in London.
CONFIDENTIAL
/The Minister
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