6.
In their decision of 25 Fay 1967 (OPD(67)20th Nesting), DOPC "invited the Common-ealth secretary, in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Defence Decretary, the Fresident of the Board of Trade and the Kinister of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to arrange for officials to consider our policy in respect of Hong Kong in the long term, on the lines indicated in discussion“ The epartments named were those subsequently represented on the liong Kong Ministerial Committee. it a meeting of the Defence Review Working arty on 2 June 1967 the Chairman stated (OPTO(DR)(67)24th Meeting):
*It has been suggested that a Comniitce might be
formed under Cabinet Office chairmanship to prepare a report on these questions, but in view of the possibility that the DRVP 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 Fong Kong study rather than to set up a separate Committee. The Working Farty could however, have separate meetings to discuss Hong Kong with appropriately adjusted membership",
It was decided to proceed on these lines,
7.
In these circumtauces it would seen that this paper must be regarded as a report from this special group of the DR#7 and that it must be fully cleared as such before presentation to Ministers in the Hong Kong Ministerial Committee. However, I feel some misgivings about this. Sections A- obviously cover ground that is suitable for joint exa instion and assessment by departments. ectiona -G deal,
on the other hand, with matters that are essentially for the FCO to pronounce on; and for our thesis in sections
and G
to be strongly contented by others could only result in much further delay as it would necessitate re-opening the coneultations 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 officiel level, but I sugest that it might call for some form of caveat or guidence as to the extent to which they should feel at liberty to query the content of those sections.
8.
If you
I should be grateful for your advice. consider that the paper must be circulate once more at official level and this seems inescapable in view of the conclusions of the "orking party at their 8th Beeting on 26 April I would su cost that this might be done on the basis of seeking clearance or written comments in the first instance. hope then to put the finishing touches to the paper without holding any further aceting; but, should a meeting be considered necessary, it will be easier to concentrate discussion on substantial points of disagreement.
السد
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TOP SKORET
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(J. 0. Voreton)
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