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W(B)L 51-7406
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11
that the D.R.W.P. might be given a
general responsibility for the
co-ordination of long-term planning in
the defence and oversea policy field
they might think it appropriate to take
on the Hong Kong study rather than to set
up a separate Committee. The Working
Party could, however, have separate
meetings to discuss Hong Kong with
appropriately adjusted membership.'
It was decided to proceed on these lines.
7.
In these circumstances it would seem that
this paper must be regarded as a report from
this special group of the D.R.W.P. and that it
must be fully cleared as such before presenta-
tion to Ministers in the Hong Kong Ministerial
Committee. However, I feel some misgivings
about this.
Sections A-D obviously cover
ground that is suitable for joint examination
and assessment by departments. Sections E-G
deal, on the other hand, with matters that are
essentially for the F.C.0. to pronounce on;
and for our thesis in Sections E and G to be
strongly contested by others could only result
in much further delay as it would necessitate
reopening the consultations upon which the
current draft is based. I realise, of course,
that this consideration cannot be held to
inhibit giving other departments an
opportunity to comment on Sections E-G at
official level, but I suggest that it might
call for some form of caveat or guidance as to
the extent to which they should feel at
content of
liberty to query the bread conclusions-end
proposals in those sections.
/ 8.
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