TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 153

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5. WITH REGARD TO YOUR LAST PARAGRAPH, I CANNOT GIVE ASSURANCES ABOUT SUCH A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION. I BELIEVE IT TO BE TOO FAR OFF IN TIME, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES TOO DIFFICULT TO FORESEE FOR THIS TO BE POSSIBLE. BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE ADDITION OF ''BRITISH NATIONAL TO THE PASSPORT OF A CBDT WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT THE EXTENT OF THE HELP THAT HMG WOULD GIVE. IN VIEW OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS SUBJECT I STRONGLY URGE YOU NOT TO SUGGEST, EVEN IN PRIVATE, THAT ANY SUCH CONNECTION COULD EXIST. TO DO SO WOULD BE MOST MISLEADING.

6. YOU WROTE VERY FRANKLY TO ME, AND I HAVE THOUGHT IT RIGHT TO REPLY WITH EQUAL FRANKNESS. BY ALL MEANS SHOW THIS LETTER TO YOU COLLEAGUES, BUT I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD PRESERVE ITS CONFIDENTIALITY.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED

HK r GD

NTD

MVD PS

PS/LPS PS/MR BLAKER

P3/MR LUCE PS/PUS

SIR E YOUDE KIL DONALD ML ADAMS

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT Office

LONDON'

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