TNAG-0281-FCO40-317-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster-to-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 101

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Yes. This is the answer. A representative of- HMG woul

Stiose.

Mr. Wilford

Mr. Rippon's visit to Hong Kong

On some of the points set out in Mr. Tickell's minute

of 30 September we are already doing what we can on

Hong Kong's behalf. I have in mind in particular the question of whether Hong Kong should be a beneficiary

under the scheme for generalised preferences; the efforts we are making to combat increasing protectionism in the

United States; and admission of KLM to landing rights at

Hong Kong.

2. I am not clear what functions Mr. Tickell envisages for a British Government Representative in Hong kong (paragraph 2 of his minute). Save in wartime (e.g. West Africa), I do not think we have ever had such a person in a Colony which had not reached so high a degree of responsible government that the Governor had no effective powers (e.g. the U.K.

Commissioners in Singapore and Malta in the last stages before independence and the High Commissioner in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland). Even in dependencies with a high degree of self-government and self-sufficiency (e.g. India under the Viceroys) such appointments were very

rare. And, surely, rightly the Governor is appointed by the Secretary of State and is under his directions: really room for another representative of the Secretary of State, to deal "diplomatically" with the Governor on questions on which the Governor can and should submit his views and

receive his instructions direct?

is there

J.R.a. Brrowly

J.R.A. Bottomley

1 October, 1970

Copies to: Private Secretary

Miss Deas

Mr. Daunt

Sir C.O'Neill

Sir L. Monson Mr. Ford

Mr. Laird Mr. Robinson Mr. Statham

Mr. Hanbury Tenison

Mr. Tickell

agree

No. There is

not. I

Scott

with the lost sentence

So does Mi

Your munte.

Kun hrifin

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