TNAG-0068-FCO40-104-Future-of-the-British-Trade-Commission-1968 — Page 20

RESTRICTED

Nr. Heath (Establishment and Organisation

Department)

Future Rôle of the British Trade Commission,

Hong Kong

You asked for our comments on the proposal to extend the functions of the Trade Commission to include information work.

2. There is little to say from the point of view of Communist China except that it is generally advis- able to avoid giving any impression that Hong Kong is losing its colonial status and is on the way to becoming a separate state. The left-wing press in Hong Kong have already commented on the use of the word "country" in some quarters to describe the colony. Mr. Rankin and some other M.P.s, who have been lobbyed by groups in Hong Kong working for constitutional advance have asked questions in the House and used the word "country". This has of course not been used in any official statement. A British office putting over the views of the United Kingdom Government about matters were there is or could be represented to be a conflict of views with the Hong Kong Government might be interpreted as a small step away from colonial status, I do not think that this would be likely to be played up by the Chinese in Peking.

3. If there are other good reasons for agreeing to the extension of the Trade Commission functions I do not think we would wish to oppose them on the above grounds. But I think it desirable that the information activities of the Trade Commission should be restricted to questions of trade and kept away from any questions with a political bearing were there could be differences of emphasis between the United Kingdom Government and the Government of Hong Kong.

4.

I am sending copies of this minute to the recipient of yours.

Copies to:

(J. B. DENSON)

29 March, 1967

Mr. Carter (Hong Kong and West

Indian Department (C') c.o.

Mr. Reed (F.E. and P. Department) c.o.

Mr. Hildvard (Economic Relations Department) Mr. Vines (Personnel Department) D.S.A.0.

Mr. Curson (Joint Information Administration

Department)

Please

requite

жды

Mhe. When

They come back from his Good. (in

2013