TNAG-0841-FCO40-1050-Visit-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-Chi-1979 — Page 112

CONFERENTIAL

6.

for a cargo handling area in case they are

totally frustrated in Hong Kong. It is

understood from the Director of Marine,

whose assessment of this information is

expected shortly, that this facility could

only be used for relatively small ships and

barges, but may serve some purpose in tran-

shipment.

(iv) There is little doubt that, when the Chinese

have supplied the information requested, they will expect some response from the Hong Kong

Government and that they would prefer this to

take the form of direct negotiations rather

than plans for more public facilities under

Government control. As stated above, the

Government sees this as part of its own

planning, but there is little doubt that

this is the area where a positive Hong Kong

Government response would help China most.

Other land grants.

With the exception of

the China Resources grant in Wanchai, most other recent requests for private treaty grants have been turned down. Old requests for private treaty grants to China Travel Service Ltd. and the Union Egg Corporation for godow

land next to the railway will soon be put to Executive

Council with a recommendation that they should be granted to assist in moving more freight down the railway.

In

CONFIDENTAL

/this