CONFIMENTIAL
breakdown Ministers will not be able to confirm officially to Sir M MacLehose that the figures which Mr Tran gave him in Hong Kong do form part of the Commission's proposals. Nor would we be able to see (which we can only do when we know the figures for other suppliers) whether it would be practically possible to give Hong Kong a little more without the risk of exceeding the global ceilings to which Ministers are committed.
4.
Sir M MacLehose will be anxious to return before final
decisions are taken within the Community on the figures. A visit
at the end of next week or even early in the following week would
probably meet this condition. But the Governor is due to deliver
his annual speech to his LEGCO on 5 October and will be occupied for some days before in its preparation.
5.
I think we should leave it to the Governor to choose, in the
full knowledge that if he comes soon we shall not have the figures.
But some of the factors mentioned above, together with the undesirability
of repeatedly postponing the Governor's visit would seem to point
to a visit early next week even though he will miss the Secretary of State. I would hope other FCO Ministers (perhaps Lord Goronwy Roberts and Mr Judd) would be ready to see him, as well as Mr Dell.
6.
I submit a draft telegram from the PUS.
HKGD concur.
21 September 1977
Muhael Jenkim
MRH Jenkins EID(E)
CONFIDENTIAL
4
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