C
7.
A summary record of the meeting in Mr. Royle's room on
10 July is attached.
I would be glad of an opportunity to
discuss with you our approach to the Parliamentary Commissioner.
Examin
(E. 0. Laird)
Hong Kong Department
FlagX
Ex Fall
stack
22 July, 1970
I have shortened the beginning of the draft. On reflection
I do not think a recitation of recent points of difference with
Hong Kong is the happiest introduction to the proposed letter.
Paragraph 3 of my draft however makes a point to which Hong Kong
attach importance, viz. if the Governor is to be over-ruled, it
must be by an F.C.0. Minister and not by officials or Ministers
of other Departments.
Other points.
}
para. 3(a) of Mr. Laird's ubmission:
this follows the line of
our discussion but in view of the official statements to which
Mr. Laird draws attention in his note of 23 July below we must
expect resistance from the Governor. I would hope however that
in the context the draft places the point (i.e. "if I am to
furbish your image, you must help me by your actions"), the
Governor will realize that arguments about "socio-economic
conditions" (i.e. freedom not to send a kid to school if you
can make him earn hard cash) or "don't give people anything for
nothing" will not cut ice here.
para. 7. I have told Mr. Laird to get in touch with Mr. Sykes,
the Deputy Parliamentary Commissioner. The latter has had a
CONFIDENTIAL
.
/discussion
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