TNAG-0243-FCO40-279-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1973 — Page 19

(134392) Dd. 737115 750M 4/70 Hw.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

..In Confidence

DRAFT LETTER

Type 1 +

From

To:-

Sir David Trench,GCMG,MC

Sir L. Monson

HONG KONG

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

The despatch implementing the proposed

delegation of authority in respect of Hong Kong's

trade with other countries in commodities has now

been agreed and is sent to you herewith.

2. As stated in paragraph 10 of the Despatch,

it is not our intention to inform other countries

with whom you have commercial relations of this

delegation of authority unless they should enquire

regarding the position. If we receive any

request for clarification, we would inform the

enquirers that, for administrative convenience, you

have been authorised to conduct commercial

relations with them but that, of course, being

a dependency of the U.K., Hong Kong would be

responsible to H.M.G. who in turn would be

responsible to other countries for Hong Kong's

actions. We do not have the intention of making

any more of this delegation with other countries

than necessary in view of the possible objections

of the CPG. For the same reason you should not

show the Despatch to your Trade Development Council

although you will doubtless wish to let them know

the gist of it. I appreciate that you will have

to show it to your Executive Council but I hope

you will ensure that it is not given publicity.

/3......