development.
SECRET
This meant that the Secretary of State
31.
although he continued to be responsible to Parliament,
gradually relaxed control, both in fiscal matters and
over policy generally. In the case of Hong Kong
such relaxation was further justified by its self-
sustaining economy, by its increasing sophistication,
by the development of substantial interests of its own and
by the size and predominantly Chinese nature of its
population. It would be extremely difficult to put the
clock back and to attempt to impose on Hong Kong the
kind of detailed control formerly imposed by the Colonial
Office on grant aided terrtories. Nor does this in
any event seem to be necessary, provided that regular
consultations take place between the Governor and his
senior officials, and the Secretary of State's advisers.
Regular bi-annual visits to London by the Governor have
already done much to improve the exchange of views on
major policies and to help to reach agreement upon them.
A greater use of technical advisers from FCO and ODM
by the Hong Kong Government might be useful to provide
an outside view in the planning stages of future develop
ments in Hong Kong in addition to professional consultants
from other sources which are already widely employed.
33.
The Governor is the principal link between
the Secretary of State and Hong Kong. His position is
a delicate one, since he must represent the views of
HMG to Hong Kong and those of Hong Kong to HMG:
occasionally
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