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RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN THE COLONIAL SECRETARY OF HONG KONG AND OFFICIALS FROM THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, HELD AT 10.00 AM, THURSDAY 10 JUNE IN CONFERENCE ROOM B, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GREAT
GEORGE STREET
Those present:
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Larmour Mr Male
Mr Hayes (Chief Economic
Adviser
Mr Lipsey
(Chief
Mr O'Keeffe ·
Mr Bentley
Mr Crowe
Mr Hurst
Mr Dart
Mr Duffy
Mr Janvrin
Sir Denys Roberts
Mr Jeaffreson (Deputy Financial
Secretary, Hong Kong Government)
HONG KONG: INTERNAL POLICIES
1. Mr Cortazzi welcomed Sir Denys Roberts and suggested that, before considering the revised draft of Sections V and VI and Annex C of the Planning Paper, it would be useful to have Sir Denys Roberts' and Mr Lipsey's general comments on these Sections.
2.
Sir Denys Roberts said that he was aware of the different audiences to which the Planning Paper was addressed. He appreciated that criticism of Hong Kong in the United Kingdom had influenced the Planning Paper prepared in London. This version naturally saw progress as necessary to provide defence to such criticism. In Hong Kong, the need for progress was seen primarily in terms of the local need to advance the well-being of the people of Hong Kong. What disagreement arose from these different approaches was mainly one of pace and timing. HMG were obviously keen to see immediate targets and progress as soon as possible. The Hong Kong Government were more cautious: they were aware of the practical consideration of carrying local opinion in Hong Kong when introducing new measures, and were conscious of resource limitations. On the financial side it was possible to raise more money, but the vital consideration remained that Hong Kong industry must not become uncompetitive. He suggested that the aim should be to agree on a programme which
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