F
GRS 200
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT/A
FM HONG KONG 181050Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NO 387 OF 18 APRIL.
FOR STEWART FROM JORDAN.
MF A.
R F
HKK 121
121/616/1
IN SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY I AM OBLIGED TO REPLY TO QUESTIONS PUT EARLIER IN THE DEBATE ABOUT
NEGOTIATIONS ON THE M F A.
2. H.M.G.'S POSITION WAS OUTLINED BY MR MEACHER IN THE COMMONS
DEBATE IN FEBRUARY. I BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THE POINTS THEN MADE WERE BASED ON MISUNDERSTANDINGS, AND HAVE GIVEN MY REASONS IN MY LETTER TO SIR P CAREY OF 7 APRIL, COPIED TO YOU. IN SPEAKING I AM IN SOME DIFFICULTY. ON THE ONE HAND I WISH TO AVOID CRITICISM
OF H M G AND GIVE TIME FOR THE CASE I HAVE PUT TO BE CONSIDERED.
ON THE OTHER I MUST GIVE MEMBERS AN HONEST INDICATION OF THE LINES ALONG WHICH THE THREAT TO H.K.'S TRADE IS DEVELOPING, WHICH HAS
ALREADY BEEN MADE IN PUBLIC. I THINK THE TEXT IN MIFT ADEQUATELY
CONTAINS THESE CONSIDERATIONS.
3. AS YOU SEE IT SAYS THAT WE ARE IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH H M G ABOUT
IT. I HAVE DELIBERATELY REFREAINED FROM SAYING THAT WE HAVE ASKED
FOR ASSURANCES (THOUGH I WILL NO DOUBT BE CRITICISED IN CONSEQUENCE), SINCE THIS MIGHT PROVOKE A PREMATURE DEMAND IN
THE UK FOR H M G TO REDEFINE ITS POSITION.
MACLEHOSE
FILES: HK & G D(5)
EID
PRES SEC
TRED
FCON D
MR CORTAZZI MR MURRAY
MR HIBBлRT
MR FRETWELL
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 180Page 181
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.