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DE YOU CONFIDENTIAL STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
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CONFIDENTIAL/STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
DESKBY 040100
FM FCO 03183OZ DECEMBER 81
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 915 OF 3 DECEMBER 1981
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PUS
APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR: HONG KONG
1. YOUR LETTER OF 30 NOVEMBER. I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE
MEDICAL ADVISERS HAVE PASSED TEDDY YOUDE FIT AND THE SECRETARY
OF STATE HAS IN CONSEQUENCE DECIDED TO RECOMMEND THAT HE BE
APPOINTED. WE ARE SEEKING THE CONCURRENCE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAKES HIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE
QUEEN.
2. I AGREE THAT A DECISION AND ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE SUCCESSION
SHOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE,
BEFORE HUMPHREY ATKINS' VISIT. I ALSO AGREE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE
A REASONABLE GESTURE OF CONSULTATION WITH SIR S Y CHUNG, ALTHOUGH
AS YOU SAY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO DEROGATE FROM THE
SECRETARY OF STATE'S AUTHORITY OR THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE IN THESE
MATTERS.
3. WE NEED TO FIT SUCH CONSULTATION IN WITH THE PROCEDURES AT
THIS END AND TO GET IT OVER BEFORE WE OBTAIN THE QUEEN'S INFORMAL
APPROVAL. THIS MEANS THAT WE MUST MOVE FAST ALTHOUGH I
APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT APPEARING TO RUSH PEOPLE IN
HONG KONG.
4.
I THEREFORE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND THAT THE SECRETARY OF
STATE SEND SIR S Y A MESSAGE THROUGH YOU ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
BEGINS: WHEN I VISITED HONG KONG IN APRIL WE HAD A WORD ABOUT
THE SUCCESSION TO MURRAY MACLEHOSE AS NEXT GOVERNOR AND ABOUT
THE QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR THE POST. I FOUND IT VERY HELPFUL TO
GET YOUR VIEWS. I THOUGHT I SHOULD NOW LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE
DECIDED TO RECOMMEND TO THE QUEEN THAT SIR EDWARD YOUDE BE
APPOINTED. AS YOU KNOW, HE HAS HAD CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH HONG
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DE YOU CONFIDENTIAL STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
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