TNAG-0568-FCO40-701-Planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 104

SECRET

Mr Latour

separate copies

Mr Cortazzi

NICK CO13/stat/

HONG KONG

1.

I attach the revised planning paper on Hong Kong which now

takes into account the views of the Governor on the future external

relations of Hong Kong. Since we have not yet had his views, the paper gives only the Office views on future internal developments.

2.

On reflection, I have substantially altered the section on relationships between Britain and Hong Kong to take account of the attitudes and practices which have developed over the years in both the administration of Hong Kong and in the Office. The first draft overstressed the blame which should attach to the administration of

Hong Kong but a great deal of the blame for present practices must be laid at the door of HMG who, in the past, tended to give little direction to the Hong Kong Government. I am now proposing that this state of affairs should be changed and that more positive contacts should be made between my Department and the Hong Kong Government.

3. FED, the OLA and Economists Department concur as appropriate. Please let me know if there are any further comments you wish to make before the paper is given to the Planning Staff for processing.

3 March 1976

Сс

Planning Staff

FED OLA

Economists Dept.

Maillefe

PL O'Keeffe

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

SECRET

Dr. back trak

E.B. & Co. 56-3197 9/75