TNAG-0138-FCO40-174-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1969 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference...

Flags D and E

7.

On point (F) the Governor readily appreciated that the amendment sought must be regarded as shackling ministerial responsibility and therefore could not be accepted. Once more for presentational reasons, a different formulation was inserted at the end of paragraph 1 of the statement which reflects the concern expressed in the November discussions that Hong Kong's view of its own interests should be fully presented to those responsible for taking decisions affecting them (cf. paragraph 5(a) of the statement).

8. I do not consider that the amendments to the statement which are now proposed should give rise to any problems. But the points raised by Sir Eugene Melville in his exchange of letters with

COVEĽ

Mr. Goldsmith are going to be very difficult to

Without much conviction that it takes the right line, I have prepared the first draft of a letter from Sir L. Monson to the Board of Trade and Ministry of Technology. It would be helpful if I could have your views on the amendments and on the Melville/Goldsmith exchange. I suggest that we might have an internal FCO meeting for that purpose and, if you agree, will arrange accordingly.

m

Manches

(W. S. Carter) (Attent mix)

Hong Kong Department

December, 1969

Copy (with enclosure) to:

Sir L. Monson

Mr. Wilford

CONFIDENTIAL

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