Mr Murray
SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE
UNCLASSIFIED
HKK OZGI
RICERCA YMONEY NO. 51
23 NCX197)
DESK GAACE*
INJEX
! REGISTRY
P.A
↓
REMR
23/11
2
1. You will wish to be aware that Sir Murray MacLehose is now in the King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, where he had an operation for the total replacement of his right hip last Tuesday. The operation was apparently successful, and the doctors say that he is now as well as can be expected. He will be able to receive visitors from the weekend: I am arranging to go down with Mr Bray one day next week to see him, and to bring him up-to-date on developments in Hong Kong.
2. His doctors have however forbidden him to come to London for any official business for at least six weeks. He will remain in the hospital for about two weeks, and then, provided he makes good progress, be allowed to go to his home in Scotland for a further month's convalescence.
3. As you know, he had been hoping to come to London in December, to participate in the discussions of the proposals for strengthening the Hong Kong garrison, and have meetings with Ministers. Mr Haddon-Cave and Mr Davies (Secretary for Security) will be coming to London for the defence discussions, and I hope that Sir Murray MacLehose can be persuaded that Hong Kong's case will be properly defended without his presence.
4. In addition to his convalescence in this country, he is planning to spend a couple of weeks on holiday in Ceylon before returning to Hong Kong in early February.
22 November 1979
cc:
PS/Mr Blaker PS/PUS
Chief Clerk
Mr Cortazzi
W.E. Chantill
W E Quantrill
Hong Kong and General Department
UNCLASSIFIED