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Mr O'Keeffe
Mr Bacon
Private Secretary
MR Y K PAO
1.
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2
In your minute of 13 January you asked whether Mr Y K Pao merited the calls on Lord Goronwy-Roberts (on 12 February) and the Secretary of State for which he has asked.
2.
10.00
Mr Pao, the Chairman of World-wide Shipping Enterprises and other shipping companies, is reputed to be the owner of the world's largest shipping fleet, largely tankers on long-term hire to oil
companies.
3.
It has been Mr Pao's custom to call on FCO and DOT Ministers
when in London. Mr Royle (as he then was) gave a lunch for him (and Mr Y K Kan) in June 1973. Both Mr Blaker and a DTI Minister were to have seen him in February 1974 had not the General Election of that month intervened. Lord Goronwy-Roberts saw Mr Pao twice in 1975. The first occasion was in February (see the attached record of the meeting). The second was as recently as October, when your predecessor noted his understanding that Mr Pao's would be the "usual courtesy call" and that no brief was required.
4.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts therefore knows Mr Pao. Depending upon how they left matters when they talked in October, I do not think it is strictly necessary for Lord Goronwy-Roberts to see him again so soon after their last meeting. Since, however, Mr Pao is accustomed to seeing Ministers it might cause offence if Lord Goronwy-Roberts could not oblige him this time. It is possible that Mr Pao may have something particular which he wants to say to Lord Goronwy-Roberts; and it might be unfortunate/this time just after he has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours.
not to see him
5. I do not think it is necessary for the Secretary of State to see Mr Pao, particularly if Lord Goronwy-Roberts does so. We have not been able to find confirmation for the statement that Mr Pao has paid his respects to the Secretary of State on previous visits to
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/London,