PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM GOVERNOR HONG KONG 090130Z
SECRET
149
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UP COPY
TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 642 OF 9 SEPTEMBER, 1971.
PERSONAL FOR MONSON.
YOUR TELNO 631 : DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.
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THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF BOTH COUNCILS MET PRIVATELY YESTERDAY TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS ACCEPTED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCILS. MY KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT OCCURRED IS NECESSARILY SECOND-HAND, BUT PRIMROSE REPORTED THE DISCUSSION AS DIS- ORGANISED' AND RELAYED A MESSAGE TO ME TO THE EFFECT THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS DID NOT WISH TO TAKE UP MY OFFER TO MEET THEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT COME TO A CONCENSUS 'ON WHAT THEY WOULD WISH TO SAY TO ME. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THAT THE MATTER SHOULD NOW BE PUT TO FINANCIAL COMMITTEE AT A SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY RECESSED UNTIL THE NEW SESSION BEGINNING ON 1 OCTOBER.)
2.
PRIMROSE'S ASSESSMENT IS THAT, AT THAT MEETING THERE WILL BE SOME OPPOSING MEMBERS BUT THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL GO THROUGH'. WOO AND MRS. LI TOLD NORMAN-WALKER AT DINNER LAST NIGHT THAT A MAJORITY FAVOURED' THE PROPOSALS. THE PROGNOSIS THEREFORE SEEMS REASONABLY HOPEFUL.
H
3. ASSUMING FINANCE COMMITTEE'S AGREEMENT IS OBTAINED THERE REMAINS THE QUESTION OF HOW TO PRESENT THE PROPOSALS
AND IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ITSELF FOR FORMAL ENDORSEMENT, IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO MINIMIZE PUBLIC OUTCRY. I AM CON- SIDERING HOW BEST TO PROCEED BUT WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE I CAN FINALLY DECIDE.
TRENCH
FILE S
HKD
FED
DEFENCE D
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SIR L MONSON
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PS/MR ROYLE PS/PUS
MR ROSE MR WILFORD
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REGISTRY No. 51
-9 SEP 1971
11- KK 10/9
17 лет
17.9.71.
6€ 17.
(1x aber) тв
13.9"
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