TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 252

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and relationship which should subsist between a

Colony and the responsible power. In recent

weeks our relations have hit a particularly low

I taken at very short artice to imbose) point as a result of HMG's decision, te quotas

as well as the tariff on imports of cotton

textiles. Talks,

this are at

at present suspended.

TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR

3. The present Governor, Sir Murray MacLeho se,

has been in office for less than three months.

August 1970 the Secretary of State wrote to Sir

In

David Trench about free compulsory primary education, (ow achieved)

the housing of squatters and the appointment of an

Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

Ombudsman.

It is not suggested that the

Secretary of State should take the initiative in

raising any of these matters during this visit

(a defensive brief will be available). Sir

Murray MacLehose is very alive to the Secretary

of State's interest in these and other questions,

but has not as yet had time to assess for himself

the general situation in the Colony.

4.

There are in fact no particular matters which

we would wish the Secretary of State to raise with

the Governor. For his part, Sir Murray MacLehose

has told us that he would like to discuss (i)

expatriate staffing problems and (ii) developments

in the world's trading system and their effect on

Hong Kong. Briefs are being prepared.

MEETING WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE

EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS

5. Sir Murray MacLehose has suggested that the

questions likely to be raised with the Secretary

ChA an

jell swing

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