York
Chief Clerk
CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 431/393/6
RAVE
28 FE31979
in 2000.'n
c.c. Mr Murray
Mr McLaren (HK&GD)
DLSK
INDEX
RY
GOVERNOR HONG KONG
PA
į / P.P.2/
1. As you know the Secretary of State is planning to visit China at Easter and he has accepted in principle our recommenda- tion that he should go to China via Hong Kong.
2. In Hong Kong the Secretary of State is likely to be questioned by unofficials (ie UMELCO) and the press about the next Governor, unless a prior announcement has been made about the succession. Questions which are likely will include:
3.
2.
b.
C.
d.
has a decision on the succession been taken?
will the successor be a politician or an official?
Is it intended to extend Sir M MacLehose's tenure
for a third time? If so for how long and why?
Why is a decision being delayed? Does this show that Britain is losing interest in Hong Kong?
If the Secretary of State has to stall on these questions this will be damaging to confidence in Hong Kong and to
Sir M MacLehose's own position. Whatever the position we shall need to brief the Secretary of State and I should be grateful for your advice on this towards the end of March.
Man Corday).
HAH Cortazzi
26 February 1979 Mr
4640
agree that the Suretay
of State will have to be prepared for questions
on this, but
I doubt whether he will be
CONFIDENTIAL