Mr David
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I PROWEM CONFIDENTIAL
Draft buigs
in Daniy
lagure that Ind attached. He was briel-shld cour 548 Courser May. 1572.
LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS' TRANSIT STOPS IN HONG KONG:
tals
18/2
BRIEFING
1. we spoke about Mr Bacon's mimite of 7 February concerning a brief for the meetings that Lord Goronwy-Roberts will be having
Mr Cortazzi with the Governor of Hong Kong on 1929 February. also referred, at the meeting of the Standing Committee on 7 February, to providing the Minister of state with "full briefing".
2. I have sugated to Mr Stewart that the starting point for a brief should be the record of Lord Goronwy-Roberts' meeting with
The aim should be, I the Governor of Hong Kong on 9 December last. think, to inform Lord Goronwy-Roberts of any progress/developments on the matters discussed on that occasion and to cover any new and significant points that have arisen in the meantime. With this in view, I suggest, subject to your views, that the brief might cover the following (not necessarily in order of importance):-
(i)
Social Progress. The finalization of the arrangements for the extended public assistance scheme which is to come into force on 1 April; the secondment of Mr Heppell of the DHSS to Hong Kong to help conduct a review of the public assistance scheme; and possibly the "slippage" in the secondary education scheme.
We cannot deal with this properly until we know whether Lord Goronwy-Roberts has received or is going to receive a communication from the Governor prior to his departure. In any case, however, I think the brief should remind Lord Goronwy-Roberts of the decision on the rates announced on 5 January and, possibly, make some statement about the extent to which, if any, budgetary policies are bringing about a redistribution of wealth. (iii) Handling of Public Opinionɓin Hong Kong. The pant
here, which fir Cortazzi emphasised yesterday, is that the criticism that there has been in Hong Kong of the new programme of labour and social reforms and of British "interference" should not be allowed to become an excuse for inaction. The brief could suggest that the new Unofficial Hembers of LegCo, as well as Officials, might do more to support the Governor's public utterances. (iv) Proposal to Second a DS4 Grade Officer to Hong Kong.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts and the Goveror seen to be at one in thinking that the next step should be to identify a suitable candidate, and POD are aware of this point. The brief should also indicate that it will be necessary to sort out conditions of service and that work is being done on this too.
(ii) The 1977/78 Budget to be announced on 2 March.
(v) ICAC. Subject to a submission that Mr Stewart is putting
to Lord Goronwy-Robats, it may be that the Minister of State may himself wish to raise the question of the possible creation of an Ombudsman-type office to deal with public complaints about the ICC's activities.
(vi)
CONFIDENTIAL