TNAG-0508-FCO40-573-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 106

MR BRYANT

OFP2

RESTRICTED

Reference.

cc Mr Crowson FCO

Mr Cloake FCO

Mr Cotterill ECGD Miss Welch CRE2

48

HONG KONG MASS TRANSIT

You will have seen the exchange of telegrams with Hong Kong linked to Hong Kong Creda 31. I sent the first reply to Mr Aston's telegram in agreement with GEC and the FCO. I sent the second because Mr Higgins had meanwhile talked with Mr Weedon in Hong Kong, Mr Weedon had spoken on the telephone with Mr Aston and both were agreed that it would be unwise to run any risk whatsoever of any leakage about the approach from the Japanese since Mr Haddon-Cave had apparently denied that there was any truth in the story reported in Creda 31. I left it with the FCO that they would still consider writing to the Governor. I left it with Mr Higgins of GEC that he would keep in close touch, letting us know when GEC felt the negotiating position would not be endangered by any form of leak. GEC's concern is of course to keep their side of the bargain with the Japanese that they would not let anyone outside a tightly restricted circle know that there were discussions with the Japanese and, more particularly, that the initiative had really been a Japanese initiative.

DHR

D N ROYCE

OFF

V/207 ext 5067 9 April 1974

376 D.158375 30M T.P. Gp.053