CONFIDENTIAL
HON
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG 7th Floor, Shell House, Queen's Road, Central, HONG KONG Mail Address: P.O. Box No. 528, Hong Kong
Cable Address: "Uktrade Hongkong" be d
Our reference: 10/1
Your reference:
E.O.Laird, Esq.,
Hong Kong Department,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
London, S.W.1.
69
60)
Telephone: 230176
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11 December, 1970.
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the holidays. Thank you for your tel. 87 of 2 November about defence costs. En.
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I was sorry that you felt unable to provide me with the information I requested, and I have, of course, taken the hint that I should keep out of this rather delicate business. I am only too willing to do this but I assume you will still expect me to let you know local reactions to this question even if I shall not be in a position to reply.
At a lunch party to-day, an (ex-patriate) member of the Urban Council (in the presence of Chinese Unofficial members of LEGCO) accused Britain of treating Hong Kong worse than ex-Colonies and even foreign countries. He quoted as an example of this the United Kingdom alleged demand that Hong Kong should increase the amount of her contribution to defence costs, whereas we not only asked for no contribution from ex-Colonies like Singapore and Malaysia but pressed military and financial aid upon them. was not briefed about this I was, of course, unable to reply satisfactorily.
As I
I merely mention this as an example of a case where an apt reply may have served a useful purpose and you will doubtless recall that this was precisely one of the points on which I requested guidance in my telegram BTC 82 of 23 October. As it stands, my only reply
Since in influential circles can be that it is no concern of mine. it is now quite widely known that one of the functions of my office is to promote an understanding of Britain's overseas policies, this is frankly not believed and is taken to mean that we have no adequate answer to make. If we are not to be allowed to comment, I suggest it would be less embarrassing for this Post if my Information Officer were to be withdrawn, or at least his brief restricted entirely to commercial matters.
I have copied this letter to Brinson in Guidance & Information Policy Department.
✓
Monnett
J.K.Blackwell
Senior British Trade Commissioner
c.c. D.N.Brinson, Esq.,
JKB:DCR: jms
Guidance & Information Policy Department.
Every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omis sions in that information and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies, or individuals mentioned.
CONFIDENTIAL
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