TNAG-0375-FCO40-421-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 22

CONFIDENTIAL

9.

The

There are other points of potential friction.

negotiations for a Mass Transit Scheme in Hong Kong are

not going well for the British consortium.

the Japanese and others are in the field.

10.

Strong bids from

Some of these problems may be inescapable, and we

may just have to override Hong Kong's views. But on others,

in particular the air traffic rights, I believe that

Hong Kong's interest could be enough to sway our own decision.

The question of Hong Kong's partial exclusion from the

Community's GSP also needs further examination.

11.

Where I seek your support and what I ask of my colleagues

is that in all matters of these kinds relating to Hong Kong,

the Department directly concerned should remember that HMG

as a whole have a responsibility towards the Colony and

that we must try to reach agreement on a course which seeks

to balance the United Kingdom and the Hong Kong interest

across the whole field.

12. I am sending copies of this minute to the Chancellor

of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry,

the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence,

the Attorney-General and the Minister of Trade and Consumer

Affairs.

A.1).t

な

20 September, 1973

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, SW1

CONFIDENTIAL