LAST
REF.
REE
Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
2
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63 1919 JAN1967
Batting in. Twil
HWBS 2/3
24/
Sent 18th January, 1967. 23.45 hrs.
PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 115.
From Hall.
Secretary of State's tour.
Commonwealth Secretary had been planning to
visit Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore in February and March and now that he has assumed responsibilities for the Colonies he wishes to extend his tour to include Fiji and Hong Kong.
2.
Main purpose of visit is familiarisation but he will naturally take opportunity to discuss current issues with Commonwealth Ministers including our present approach to E.E.C. but the visit will not be for the specific purpose of consulting them prior to a decision here whether or not to embark on negotiations with the E.E.C. Such definitive consultations would in any case at this stage be impossible whilst visits of Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to the capitals of the six are still proceeding.
3.
Additions of visits to Fiji and Hong Kong have necessitated some rearrangement of programme and present proposal is that Commonwealth Secretary should fly Australia- Hong Kong on 27th February and Hong Kong to Singapore on 2nd March. Alternative is to fit in Hong Kong after visit to Singapore and Malaysia. telegraphed as soon as possible.
4.
Firm dates will be
In addition to Commonwealth Secretary and Mrs. Bowden party will consist of Sir A. Snelling, Mr. Moreton and Mr. Foster.
5.
Grateful to know whether dates proposed would be convenient to you. Matter is confidential pending completion of programme and press announcement.
6.
Apart from E.E.C. matters and general brief on Hong Kong, are there any special subjects on which Commonwealth Secretary should be briefed?
〒
CONFIDENTIAL
17.