Minister
Minister
Minister
It is to have talks with Tai Ministers and to have an audience with His Majesty the King whom I have met on two previous occasions. My responsibilities in the Foreign Office under Sir Alex Douglas Homes
are for Asian affairs including Hong Kong and for
Western European affairs. In my capacity as Minister
responsible for Asian affairs to Sir Alex I will be
visiting Tailand.
Nothing special, there are obviously great develop-
ments going on at the moment in South East Asia and
Indo China and all these matters will be discussed
during my visit.
One question on the Common Market, Britain's entry into it in January and how it will effect Hong Kong. Is there going to be problems with Hong Kong dealing with Europe?
Naturally
I don't think there will be much change. we will be in a better position to advise Hong Kong as full members of the community rather than outside the community. We will keep in close touch with the Government with all their problems, indeed, that is our duty in the Foreign Commonwealth Office where we help and advise, and assit Hong Kong wherever it's needed. I would, in my opinion, assess the fact that
Hong Kong's ability to pursue its interests with the E.E.C. will be improved by our arrival as a member of the nine.
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