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Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KC VO
Government House HONG KONG
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
Hck Dabl!. НСК 02611
INTEX 17 Mark
7 MAR 1978
PA
See
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1. I imagine that Lord Goronwy-Roberts will by now have told you that he thinks it essential that I should come to Hong Kong at about the time that Michael Stewart is there. That being so, I am afraid I must disregard the advice in your telegram no. 330 and plan on a visit to Hong Kong in April. The latest develop- ments in the Yau Ma Tei case and the fact that I hope to have approval that the application of CR55 to at least the vast majority of the 140 cases before Easter has, I suggest, overtaken considerations in paragraphs 1 and 2 of your telegram.
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2. My advice to Robin McLaren would be to wait for a few months until, say, October, before he plans a visit to Hong Kong. my view the first visit is so much more valuable after one has had a chance to read the files and work on the continuing business of the Department for three to four months before one comes. Robin, of course, knows Hong Kong quite well and so does not need the first look at the geography that the rest of us have needed. Writing that, I have not of course ignored the truly amazing developments since he was last there.
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3. Unless you maintain your objections, therefore, I would now propose to arrive in Hong Kong on 14 April and leave on the evening of 20 April to avoid The Queen's Birthday on the 21st. I have told you what my three main interests are and what I would like to do is to spend Saturday, at least part of Sunday and Monday with the Police and ICAC. I shall discuss a programme with Roy Henry before he goes back to Hong Kong. Michael Stewart will arrive on the evening of the 17th and then perhaps he and I together could follow whatever programme you and Philip propose for those two days. I know that he would like to see Philip himself, David Jeaffreson, Alan Maclean and Joseph Lain, Vam? your economists, David Jordan, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, the Banking Commissioner and Blye, the Secretary for Monetary Affairs. I would like to be with him in his talks with Philip, David Jeaffreson and the Inland Revenue and banking people. I think he would also like to see one or two academic economists such as Dr Edward Chen of Hong Kong University and
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL