Reference HKK 6/394/1
وال
Mr. Carter
You will remember that in early July (minutes at (172) on 531/1) we considered what to do about the records of the discussions with the Board of Trade held in June before the Swedish negotiations at which Mr. Jordan was present. The BOT sent us notes of these discussions ((171/E) on 531/1 and (1) on 6/29) with the request for very early comment and with the suggestion that it was not necessary to refer these records to Hong Kong. However, we did so and nearly four months later we have their comments below.
12.
I was not present, being on leave, at the meeting on 23 June so that I have no comments on the points Hong Kong raise on this record. But on the point they make about the meeting on 13 June I agree that Mr. Jordan's remark about the special relationship between Hong Kong and the UK was made and I drew attention to this last July. I made the point to Miss Dumble, who had written the record, by phone.
3. The question arises whether we should convey Hong Kong's remarks to the BOT. I see little advantage in doing so after this long interval. Most of the ques- tions raised have moved forward quite considerably and seeing that so far as the BOT is concerned Hong Kong have not even got these records I think it would pro- bably be best to leave well alone. Certainly with regard to the special relationship between Hong Kong and the UK it might well have adverse consequences to labour that point now when Mr. S. Stewart and Mr. Jones are engaged on arguing the figures in the same context of HMG's right to restrain Hong Kong exports. I told you that I understood that Mr. Jones was by no means sure about his figures. Hong Kong are consider- ing whether to disengage this rather dangerous corres- pondence or to continue.
A
4. Perhaps we ought also to remember that at the same meeting of 13 June Sir Arthur Snelling made the point at (X) on page 16 of the record. This does not put Hong Kong in a good position to argue her special relationship in the context of that particular meeting.
5. I suggest that I acknowledge Mr. Sellers' letter and say that the points he has made are now on record.
R:
cc File HKK 6/29
to
(H. H. Stewart) 27 October 1969
Yes. Lose
27/10
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Chalk HKKY 29
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