TNAG-0092-FCO40-128-Ministry-of-Public-Buildings-and-Works-Future-of-locally-eng-1967 — Page 13

CY MON

MINISTRY OF

PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS

LAMBETH BRIDGE HOUSE, LONDON S. E.1

Telephone: RELiance 7611

30th January, 1967.

Dar Arter

We have now received a report from Stretton in Hong Kong about his "further elucidation" of the position on questions raised by the transfer of staff. I will not trouble you with the details, but the picture looks rather better from our point of view than it did. Stretton's general advice is that while we should continue to try to persuade the Hong Kong Government on certain points, we have no alternative but to accept in general the terms they are offering.

In view of the improved prospects my Minister is, with some reluctance, prepared to accept this position, and has it in mind that our team in Hong Kong should be told, in effect, to strike the best bargain it can.

In your telegram No. 126 of 19th January you told the Governor that we would let him have as soon as possible our comments on his telegram No. 26 of 9th January. In the circumstances my Minister would be content with something on the lines of the enclosed draft. I should be grateful if you would let me know as quickly as possible if this would be acceptable to your Secretary of State.

I am sending a copy of this letter and enclosure to Hooper, Army Department.

білес

Jore sixcurly,

Sir Arthur Galsworthy, K.C.M.G.,

Commonwealth Office,

Downing Street,

S.W.1.

Mark Zanent.

8.