TNAG-0864-FCO40-1074-Involvement-of-Hong-Kong-in-air-services-agreements-1980 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

political

that we could at least put pressure on Hong Kong with less/damage team pelationship than if a row with Malaysia were allowed to break out again.

I

5. Mr Steel is informing Mr Norman Tebbit, DOT Minister responsible for Aviation, of what he proposes to do tomorrow. think it would be wrong to allow him to go ahead while there is a difference between us on the fallback position which, in Anglo/ Malaysian relations, is crucial. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this with the Minister of State tonight, together with the Head of MAED.

31 May 1979

cc Mr Cortazzi

Mr Simons

Mr Morland

Mr McLaren

CONFIDENTIAL

D F Murray