RESTRICTED
Q.13. IS IT PART OF YOUR JOB TO HOLD AN ENQUIRY INTO WHAT HAPPENE
A.
LAST OCTOBER ?
CLEARLY WE ARE ONLY HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED LAST
OCTOBER, AND WE SHALL HAVE TO MAKE UP OUR MINDS ON THE COURSE
OF EVENTS BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER
PROPERLY. BUT WE ARE NOT HERE TO WRITE A REPORT ON WHAT
HAPPENED.
Q.14. DID YOU TAKE PART IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR IN LONDON
LAST MONTH ?
A.
YES.
(IF PRESSED TO ELABORATE, REPLY THAT THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE TEAM'S TASK WAS DISCUSSED).
Q.15. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RETURN TO THE U.K IN THE MIDDLE OF
YOUR WORK ?
A.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THIS. I KNOW IT APPEARS UNSATISFACTORY, BUT I HAVE AN INESCAPABLE PRIOR COMMITMENT TO MEET. I WILL ENSURE, BEFORE I GO, THAT THE WORK CAN CONTINUE UNABATED IN MY ABSENCE.
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR PRESS CONFERENCE.
WE SUGGEST THAT MR CRANE DOES NOT HESITATE TO REPLY THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW YET, IF THIS IS THE CORRECT ANSWER. HE IS MORE LIKELY TO BE CRITICISED FOR APPEARING TO BE AN INSTANT EXPERT ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS THAN FOR A DEGREE OF DIFFIDENCE AT THIS STAGE.
6. WE WILL ARRANGE FOR A REPRESENTATIVE OF G.1.S TO MEET CRANE ON ARRIVAL BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
7. IF CRANE HAS ANY QUERIES, PLEASE SEND THEM.
MACLEHOSE
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HKGD(5)
OPA
OID NEWS D
MR.CORTAZZI MR.MURRAY
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
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COPIES TO:
HKGO.