TNAG-0485-FCO40-550-UK-publications-on-labour-and-social-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 70

Mr March,

FED

TL)

1.

CONFIDENTI Reference.....

39

In his letter to me (copy attached), Mr Youde asked if we would amend the standard line on the Chinese attitude to Hong Kong set out in my letter to Mr Donald of 13 September (also attached).

2.

I see no objection to the amendment and, if you agree, I think that both News Department and we should adopt it for any future off-the-record briefings.

3.

In replying to Mr Youde we might, if you agree, take up the point in my minute to Mr Bentley of 26 September about the possibility that the Chinese

had briefed the authors of "Hong Kong: A Case to Answer" on the conclusions as well as on the content of the booklet. Would something on the lines of the attached draft be acceptable to you?

9 October 1974

сс

News Dept.

Mr. Stadt. HKIOD.

I se

sie wo

AC

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

objcction and some mexit in the

adoptio of the amendment suggested by th. Youde.

2. However, in the absence on

any real

were

evidence that the Chinese Embassy briefing the authors of the booklet, I am

reluctant to draw the conclusions reached in paras 2 and certainly 3 of your draft.

While the degree of entlumniasin with which

the cluime womed welcome

any

unexpected

CONFIDENTIAL

offer