Mi Gam
From: Captain P. J, S. Gray, Royal Scots Greys
to condiale advice plane
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
MAIN BUILDING, WHITEHALL, LONDON, S.W.I
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE FOR THE ARMY
A/US of S/IR/319
TELEPHONE 01-630 7042
copy & Hemp Mary Deg
FE.DEN.
4th
May 1978 Abs.
Dear Barrington,
As you are aware, it is normal practice for Service Department Ministers to see something of the work of the Forces in the field outside this country.
Mr. Richard has not visited the Forces in the Far East since he took office, and would like to do so from 25th May to 7th June. I am attaching a copy of his proposed programme to give you some idea of the sort of visits that he has in mind. He would travel in a Service aircraft to Singapore and back. For the flights between Singapore and Hong Kong it would be necessary to use civil flights as there are very few scheduled Service flights and his programme could not be fitted to these flights.
In this connexion you may wish to note that the flight from Singapore to Hong Kong calls at Bangkok where Mr. Richard would stay for only as long as the aircraft stopped there. The return flight to Singapore similarly calls at Bangkok and Mr. Richard would intend making an overnight stop there, but not making any official calls. He would be accompanied by his Private Secretary and myself.
This proposal has, of course, the approval of our Secretary of State, and I would be grateful if you would therefore seek the approval of your Secretary of State at your earliest convenience.
I am sending copies of this letter to Andrews (No. 10), Warren (Chief Whip's Office) and Lloyd Jones (Cabinet Office).
Your sincerely,
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
Oriar 1970
Mr March.
I have agrad a draft burgan I have
Рини слат
Military Assistant
NICK 22/8
wile SWPD.
AG
6.
8720
N. J. Barrington, Esq.
Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office