TNAG-0464-FCO40-529-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 141

Karks

Mr Stuart (HKIOD)

1. I cannot recall anything of material importance which has not already been mentioned by Mr Crowson in the preceding minute overleaf. The only point on which my impression does not entirely coincide with that formed by Mr Crowson is the one which concerns Mr Dodge's complaint that Hong Kong officials had not been kept informed about Mr Trans's visit to London. On this I would say that Mr Dodge was in fact a little insensed and though he may subsequently have toned down his remarks in conversation with Mr Crowson he certainly made it quite plain to all of us that he took a very poor view of what he clearly regarded as a deliberate withholding of information on the part of British officials. However I think that ruffled feathers were in the end successfully smoothed and also that Mr Dodge and Mr Kidd realised our predicament over this caused by the fact that United Kingdom and Hong Kong interests do not always clearly coincide.

20 September 1974.

ah

Hanna

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.