"British Week" in the Colony;
although they
undertook some other engagements, this was not strictly a "Colony" occasion. Princess
Alexandra and other members of the Royal
Family have paid private visits to the Colony
since 1961.
10. Although a special visit to Malaysia on
its own could not be justified, there would be
real advantage to us if Her Royal Highness
could make such a visit as part of a tour which also included Hong Kong. Any such
visit would, of course, depend on the receipt
from of an invitation by the Malaysian Government
and on there being no deterioration in the security situation in Malaysia at the time.
might 11. If Malaysia were included, it would be less easy to ask Hong Kong to make a contribu-
were lobe tion to the costs. But if it is decided that
tio Hong Kong must contribute, then it would seem
equitable for the common costs of such a visit, e.g. on transport, to be shared between the Foreign and Commonwealth Services Vote
and the Hong Kong Government in proportion to the time spent in Malaysia and Hong Kong
respectively. Whether or not Malaysia is included, it is suggested that our votes should bear (as they did in 1961) the whole of
such incidental expenses as dresses for the ladies and presents; it would, we consider,
be very difficult to ask Hong Kong for
reimbursement of these items of expenditure.
12.
In the course of our discussions with
the Governor he suggested that, in order to
minimise the costs of the visit, Her Royal Highness might be willing to travel with a small retinue and that the Royal Party might
travel by scheduled BOAC service. These proposals would of course require the approval of Her Royal Highness; and might in any case
need to be modified or abandoned if HRH is to
visit Malaysia as well. But it is understood that there would be no objection in principle
to the use of a scheduled BOAC service.
13. On the timing of a visit, the Governor has informally indicated a preference for September, i.e., shortly before he lays down
/his Commission.
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