CONFIDENTIAL
Lag A
(The Minister of State may recall t.at he was to have attended a performance given by the Hong Kon; Silver Jubilee Company at the Royal Festival Hall at the end of July but could not, in the event, do so, här Kild has also been active in looking after the Hong Kong Chinese community in the UK and his period of office has seen the establishment, in Hanchester and Edinburgh, of sub-offices concerned mainly with "consular»" work. Tho Minister ay wish to compliment fr Kiad on the hard work that he has put in over the last 3 years and, in particular, on his considerable efforts during the Silver Jubilee celebrations. He mi ht express the hope that Mr Kidd's
retirement - which is early, for "personal and family reasons" will be long and hap›y.
4.
Fr Bray like.is joined the Hon; Kong Government in 1950. He has been appointed Commissioner in London from the post of Secretary for Home A.'fairs and Information. The appointment of so senior an officer indicates that the Hong Kong Covernment wish to give new empl asis to the Commissioner's job. (The Governor has made this clear in public in Hong Kong.) They clearly hope that ir Bray will avoid the administrative chores of running his office, which have ecmed to cor sume much of Mr Kidd's time, and give aimself more to the making and cultivation of political, trad) un orist, diplomatic and commer- cial contacts that will furthe· Hong Kon; 's intere£ts. The Minister may wish to welcome M Bray and express the hope that he will be successful in promoting Hong hɔng's image in the UK and find his work enjoyable.
5. I understand from Mr Wejb--Johi so 1, the Deputy Commissioner, that Ir Kidd and r Bray do nos inteni to raise any particular points with the Minister of state. Nover theless, they are much concerned at present with Hong Kong's position in relation to the ulti-ibre Arran ement. The long Ken; Coverment Office have seen the Governor's recent lette to Mr Lurray and have been enquiring about where mitters st ind, If Mr Kidd and
r Iray do raise the matter, I reccm nd hat Lord Goromy-Roberts should, in speaking to them, be guide by the minute that the Secretary of State is propos..nt to sed to therine Minister and his other colleagues. Paragraphs 5 and 7, as well as the first two sentence of prɛgrapa o, are par icularly relevant. It would not be a visable to mention the point ia paragraph 6 (about Sir D Maitland's speak ng to Commissioner Davignon. The Minister of State will wisi. to make it clear that the proposed approach by the Saci etary of State awaits the approval of his Ministerial colleague.. ...s regurās the timing of the Governor'u return for consultations, the Minister might say that we hope shortly to be in a position to put a definite proposal to Sir M Luc.chose. ID() con‹ ur.
16 September 1977
cc:
1 Cortazzi
Ur Stern (BIDČENY
2
DF Liltɔn
Hong Kong & Genera... Department