TNAG-0694-FCO40-844-Inspection-of-Hong-Kong-Department-1977 — Page 50

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الاشياء عامة

22

A

(16)

14/113

From The Minister of State

Jasper

[N.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

14 March 1977

1 Al 1613

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 74

17 MAR 1977

HX A15/1

Douglas Williams wrote on 8 March to Hugh Cortazzi about

your proposals for putting in hand the decisions of the DOP Committee that a study should be undertaken of possible measures to offset the economic consequences of the closure of the Gibraltar dockyard. I entirely agree with you that this should be put in hand as soon as possible.

He

Iain Sutherland, the Under Secretary responsible for the European Departments in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has told Douglas on the telephone that we are anxious to co-

operate to the fullest extent in the work of your Committee. suggested, and I fully agree, that at least while responsibility

for Gibraltar within this Office remains divided between the

Gibraltar and General Department and Southern European Department, a representative of the latter should be on the Committee to

advise about Spanish policy and reactions. Iain Sutherland also pointed out that the Committee's remit covers a very sensitive area both in Gibraltar, given the Government's policy of "support and sustain" and also in Spain where the Government watches closely for any signs which could be interpreted as reactions to the frontier restrictions. As the DOP minutes state, secrecy

and discretion are essential. I endorse these views.

I would welcome very early discussion between our officials

of the political issues involved and of the best means of avoid-

ine adverse repercussions which could follow both in Gibraltar

The Rt Hon Mrs Judith Hart MP

Ministry of Overseas Development

Eland House

Stag Place

London SW1

SECRET

/and