STAFF:
IN CONFIDENCE
Mr Whyte, News Department
GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
HIK OIGH...
BISCAY NO.
19 MAR 1979
INDEX
No
10/3
1. I informed Sir Murray MacLehose by telephone this morning that The Queen had approved the extension of his term of office until April 1980. The confirmatory telegram is being despatched.
2.
The Governor confirmed that he would wish to inform his Executive Council before the extension is announced. He will do this tomorrow morning; a two line press statement will be issued at 1600 hours Hong Kong time (0900 hours London time) tomorrow, 20 March.
3. It is not the normal practice for News Department to make a parallel announcement, but you may be asked to confirm the extension at tomorrow's New Conference. The Governor asked that you should do so on the lines: "Sir Murray MacLehose will be staying on as Governor until April 1980".
4.
Sir Murray MacLehose was originally appointed Governor in November 1971 for a period of five years. His tour has been extended three times before: from November 1976 to November 1977, from November 1977 to November 1978, and from November 1978 to August 1979
RJT McLaren
Hong Kong and General Department
19 March 1979
Copies to:
PS
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
PS/PUS
Chief Clerk
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Murray
HKA 431/393/6
RLANED 47
YRC. ST
NO.
20 MAR!979
PA
Wath Tene
NO ! I
P.P. a
3
STAFF: IN CONFIDENCE