Mint
Reference.......HWB 18/65.
17
Flagged.
Private/Office
Prive
I spoke to Mr. Brighty a few days ago concerning the request from the four man Heung Yee Kuk delegation from Hong Kong which is now in this country for a meeting with the Secretary of State. We agreed at
that time that, in view of the heavy pressure on the Secretary of State, it would be desirable to avoid asking him to meet the delegation if this were possible Arrangements have already been made for the delegation to see Lord Shepherd on 21 February, but they were tactfully informed that their request for an Audience of The Queen would have to be declined.
2.
When the delegation were informed that their request for a meeting with the Secretary of State had not been granted, they took it very badly. This was made clear in a report which Mr.Sedgwick, Director of the Hong Kong Government Office in London, received from theChinese Administrative Officer accompanying the delegation on their tour of the provinces (see paragraph 2 of (13)). We accordingly consulted the Governor in terms of the telegram at (15). Paragraph 4 of that telegram was, I believe, cleared with you by Mr.Godden before its despatch. We have now received the Governor's reply (16) and he states that he considers it highly desirable that the delegation should call on the Secretary of State, if only briefly.
on behalf of this dept.,
3. I am accordingly enquiring whether it would be possible for the Secretary of State to see the delegation for a brief meeting on either 19 or 20 February. I suggest these two dates because the delegation is scheduled to return to London from its provincial tour on Saturday, 17 February, and is meeting Lord Shepherd on the following Wednesday, 21 February. If a meeting can be arranged on either of these two days it would be followed very shortly afterwards by the delegation's meeting with Lord Shepherd. This is what the Governor has in mind in paragraph 1 of his telegram at (16). If, however, neither of these dates is convenient to the Secretary of State then it might perhaps be possible for him to see them during the period immediately following 21 February. The delegation are due to leave United Kingdom on 28 February on their return to Hong Kong.
4. If it proves possible to arrange for the delega- tion to see the Secretary of State a brief will be prepared nearer the time. Meanwhile, full details of the four members of the delegation are given at 10/E/1.
5 February, 1968.
DAK?
(A.W. Gaminara)