MR WILFORD
HONG KONG
1.
SECRET
NXR3/548/10
Noted Pro 31/8 Дж
(18)
See sulo
PIA.
papers
Please see comments by Mr Royle and the Secretary
of State on my submission of 16 August attached.
2.
We discussed this briefly this morning and agreed
that there was little more we could do on the general front until we had the Chancellor's decision on the future of the Sterling Agreements. If that leads to a tolerable result for Hong Kong, other aspects of the relationship with the colony may become more easily manageable.
3.
Subject to that however, I suggest that it would be worth while to give thought to a short draft DOP paper, for the Secretary of State's consideration, dealing in broad terms with the Hong Kong/UK relationship. This might analyse the situation on the lines of my submission and conclude with the need, as the basis of our policy approach to the colony, to strike an equitable balance between Hong Kong interests and, our own. The paper might be circulated following the talks with Murray MacLehose on 11/12 September; and if it thus coincided with further consideration by Ministers of the Nationality question (on 18/19 September as at present proposed), it could be helpful.
4.
Sw
If you agree perhaps you would pass these papers to Mr Stuart so that the Department could be giving preliminary thought to a draft on these lines.
24 August 1973
Copies to:
PS/PUS
The Watin
agree.
Mr Holland Mr Stuart
(Duncan Watson)
29
Mr2%
8
SECRET
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