Mr Crowson Mr Stuart
away
Reference.
(127,
378
8/20
PARLIAMENTARY GROUP VISIT TO CHINA
1.
A parliamentary delegation, led by Dame Joan Vickers, is due to visit China as the guests of the Chinese Government in November. The Ariel Foundation are paying for the delegation's air fares to Hong Kong.
2. In August Dame Joan Vickers wrote to Mr Royle to inform him that the delegation would stop over for a couple of days in Hong Kong and asking vaguely for help over accommodation. Mr Royle's Private Secretary wrote asking for further details of the composition of the delegation and exactly what accommodation was required. In the meantime, I wrote to the Colonial Secretariat giving them advance notice of the visit and warning them that we might be seeking their help over accommodation.
3.
We have now received the attached letter from Dame Joan's Private Secretary, on which FED are submitting. This states: "I understand that HM Government is arranging hospitality in an hotel."
4. I am reluctant to suggest asking Hong Kong to give hospitality to the MPS: apart from Dame Joan, there are 9. On the other hand, if we simply ask Hong Kong to book hotel accommodation, I think there would be a problem over responsibility for payment of the hotel bills. I attach a draft telegram to Hong Kong which poses the problem and leaves the decision to them. Paragraph 3 has been agreed with FED.
5 October 1973
cc Mas
Nuan, FED
Discussed
with
P.M. Kelly
P M Kelly (Miss) Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department
Spiken
to
IRD
M
tel redrafted.
M. Stuart. Ariel and
DD 145177 219242 500M 4/73 GM_3643/2
pa Prize 8110
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