TNAG-2528-FCO40-3698-Proposed-acquisition-of-Midland-Bank-by-the-Hongkong-and-Sha-1992 — Page 4

Mr Burns

Private Secretary

SECRET: LANDSMAN

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE

HKC 121//30

FROM: N J Cox, HKD

DATE: 4 March 1992

cc: PS/Lord Caithness

PS/PUS

Sir J Coles

CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE AT 1700 ON 5 MARCH 1992: GALLEY/

QUARTERDECK

1.

I submit points to make and background for this call.

2. The objective previously agreed was to reassure Galley

that Ministers take their concerns seriously and to

discourage them from rushing fences. It seems that we shall now need also to rebut any accusation that we have misled

them about Sailmaker's intentions or the Government's

attitude to a Sailmaker bid.

3. I have discussed the lines of the brief with the

Treasury, but they may still have amendments to propose.

4. Developments tomorrow may make updating necessary

before the call.

AZA.

N J Cox

Hong Kong Department

SISABK/1

SECRET: LANDSMAN

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE