TNAG-0380-FCO40-426-Sterling-assets-and-balance-of-payments-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 174

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know and it is embarrassing that I did not.

First since I have, with encouragement from London, set out to mix within the high commercial and banking circles, and to be available to the media to put Britain's case (vide Mr Anthony Royles letter, inter alia), I am expected at least to know what is going on, even if I cannot say. And I am at least not expected to commit gaffes by speaking in ignorance.

Second, had I been aware of the impending talks I would have sent you at least

a summary of the brief storm that blew up in the press last week over allegations of UK "milking" Hong Kong both in the investment field and in the Reserves. It forms

As part of the atmosphere of which the British negotiators should be aware. it is, partly having in mind the injunction against telegrams, I have sent it all to you by a letter (addressed to Cherry Welsh in DTI and copies to you) which will probably arrive too late to be of use for this particular purpose.

Third I am about to do a drum banging speech which will be covered by press, radio and TV. Against the background of the allegations of "milking" Hong Kong and the implication that UK means very little to Hong Kong, I was going to deflate some of the wilder assertions and suspicions about the Reserves. For all I know I could have put my foot very firmly in it; I could have been innocently making statements which would be imparted with a new, and too fully unintended significance in view of Haddon-Caves visit. It is just good fortune that there is just time to amend my speech before it goes to the press.

I hope that even yet it may

All this is not just crying over spilt milk. serve to make the point that if I am to do this job as anything more than a post- man for the Export Intelligence Service and a receptionist for visiting Missions I nced to be informed. At least I hope it may be agreed that I should be given a confidential summary of the outcome of the present talks.

cc: 93/9 TTA/YAS

PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

Regards.

Yours

Tom

T W Aston

Senior British Trade Commissioner

Every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions in that information and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned.