CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Laird
(Hong Kong Dept.)
Ec. Private Secretary
Mr. Logan
Mr. Daunt
Mr. Robinson
M Group
Pl. sph
Lite
Пий
Min Kelly
En
Mr. Butler EID/1
Ministerial Visits to Hong Kong
25%/2
Discussed. Draft Tels
trong khung
to
1. You will recall that Mr. Rippon originally planned to make a Ministerial visit to Hong Kong, in the course of a tour of Asia and Africa. In view of the Prime Min- ister's plans to visit Hong Kong it was then thought better if Mr. Rippon went there privately.
2. I understand that there is now every chance that the Prime Minister will be unable to include Hong Kong in his Far East itinerary. I should therefore be grateful if you could give some thought to Mr. Rippon returning to his original plans i.e. including a day of official talks in his visit to the colony. You will no doubt wish to consult the Governor about this, bearing in mind his telegram no. 663 of 24 July (attached).
3. I have spoken about this possibility to Mr. Simcock at No.10 who would personally see no objection, while at the same time emphasising that all such plans would have to remain provisional until the Prime Minister's programme is settled.
PMKL
2517
24 July 1972
Makenham
(M.A.Pakenham)