PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 240520Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
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TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 219 OF 24TH FEBRUARY, 1973.
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 172:
VISIT OF SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER.
2. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT MR. WALKER WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF
THIS VISIT TO SPEAK TO THE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WITH PRESS
AND TELEVISION COVERAGE ON THE BROAD THEME OF BRITAIN'S ECONOMIC
PROPECTS. THE OUTLOOK FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND INFLATION IN
BRITAIN, AND THE EFFECT OF ENTRY INTO THE EEC, ARE CENTRAL TO THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS BRITAIN OF HONG KONG'S COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY.
THE SPEECH COULD BE QUITE SHORT, I.E. 10-12 MINUTES, AND NEED
HAVE FEW IF ANY REFERENCES TO SPECIFIC HONG KONG PROBLEMS SUCH
AS RESTRICTIONS ON TEXTILES.
3. FOR THE REST A DRAFT PROGRAMME IS SET OUT BELOW.
THIS OF COURSE COULD BE ADDED TO IF THE MINISTER SO WISHED, BUT HE MAY WELCOME A CHANCE TO CATCH HIS BREATH AFTER
CHINA AND BEFORE SINGAPORE.
4.
PROPOSED PROGRAMME:
SATURDAY 31ST MARCH
A)
LUNCH INFORMAL
B)
23
REF.
&
C)
D)
AFTERNOON DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER
AND STAFF ABOUT PERFORMANCE AND PROMOTION OF
BRITISH TRADE IN HONG KONG.
THEREAFTER, EITHER A WALK, A REST OR SIGHTSEEING.
EVENING BLACK TIE STAG DINNER GIVEN BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SECRETARY OF STATE
TP SPEAK FOR ABOUT 12 MINUTES.
SUNDAY 1ST APRIL
E)
MEETING ABOUT HONG KONG'S TRADE WITH BRITAIN AND ANY OTHER
ISSUES SECRETARY OF STATE WISHES TO RAISE.
F)
HELICOPTER TRIP TO SEE SOMETHING OF THE COLONY
AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS
FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 HOUR. /G) LUNCH
CONFIDENTIAL