TNAG-0508-FCO40-573-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 179

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really was nothing that could be done at present, it was better to wait to see how the talks with the Japanese progressed and to be ready to come back in with a realistic offer if they failed.

11.

Meanwhile Sir Douglas Clague had a brief word with the Governor in the paddock when (according to Sir Douglas) the Governor told him that both Sir John Tilney and Mr Chataway had now seen that Hong Kong had no choice and he considered that the time had come when the whole subject should be dropped in public discussion, so that the Hong Kong Government could get on with the process of negotiating in a calm atmosphere. Sir Douglas told me that since there was clearly nothing to be gained by further public debate and he would not wish to vitiate his own relations with the Govemor, he would now lie quiet on the subject.

12. I will of course keep you informed on any further press reports (by copies) and anything I may hear of the progress or outcome of the negotiations with the Japanese but I think we have now come to the dead end of any attempts to try to ensure that informed opinion has a fair understand- ing of the position.

Yours

Tomma

CONFIDENTIAL

T W Aston

Senior British Trade Commissioner

Cc:

Miss M Lackey, CRE2, DTI

Mr K Cotterill, ECGD, DTI

Mr Stuart, HKIOD, FCO

Mr JC Cloake, Trade Relations & Exports Dept, FCO

TWA/yas

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.