(490x
бъ
PREV.
CONFIDENTIAL
55
Enta & to ww, je.
سليح
CR 19/5701/69
RECAVED IN
24th. July, 1973.
Dear Andrew
R-G!^T*
- SAUG 1973
HKK3/548/2.
As probably you know, a group of M.P.'s visits here in the autumn each year under M.O.D. auspices, to see the Armed Services.
We were concerned because last year's group seemed unusually ignorant about, and in some cases rather hostile to, Hong Kong. The Colonical Secretary wrote at the time to Michael Laird about the problems which this caused. Dick Crowson replied to him (reference HKK 3/548/7) on the 17th. October, explaining that briefing had followed normal lines, being arranged by the M.O.D. He added that you would certainly do everything you could to ensure that future groups arrived as well informed as possible.
the
It occurs to me that the problem may have arisen because we here look at some questions from a rather different point of view to that taken by the M.O.D.: "defence contribution" is an obvious example. If I am right, you will no doubt be able to do much to redress the balance; and Michael Wright will certainly be available to help in any way he can.
However that may be, we did hope that Michael might be able to contribute to the briefing given to this year's group, due here in September. But we understand from him that there are problems about this. I do not know quite what they are, still less the reason for them. So I write to ask whether you can help resolve any there may be.
A.C. Stuart, Esq.,
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London S.W.1
CONFIDENTIAL
м Способом
has replied.
ра
Prak гов