TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 219

CODE 18-77

Mr Quantrill

CONFIDENTIAL

FUTURE OF THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

Reference HKG 025/1

7

FAISTRY NO.

14 JAN 1980

ER

not f

51

REGISTRY

Action Taken

See letter w/3.

1. At Mr Stratton's meeting today we discussed action now that the Secretary of State has approved the memorandum on this subject.

2. It was agreed to send the memorandum, under cover of a despatch to all Governors. Our despatch should also cover the following points:-

a) A request for comments from Governors on any problems

in the context of their particular territory;

b) Procedure for subsequent use of the memorandum both in

the UK and abroad. This would cover:

(i) Governors informing local Ministers;

(ii) more public use in territories, eg with LEGCOs;

(iii) possible further dissemination in Britain, eg to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House.

c) The position of the" political" dependencies, in particular

Hong Kong. Does the memorandum contain any disclaimer on their behalf on the issue of independence? Certainly if the terms of the memorandum are to be published we should consider making the position of the politicals clear.

7 January 1980

R D Clift

CONFIDENTIAL