CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
Mr Clift
CONFIDENTIAL COVERING, SECRET
TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR ON 12 MARCH
Reference
NKIC 040
RECEIVE IN REGISTRY NO. 51
17 MAR 1981
DECK CFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
No
$17.3.
1.
At the meeting with Sir E Youde, I take it that the only item to be discussed is the briefing on land leases and confidence in Hong Kong for use by the Secretary of State in Peking. Copies of the drafts are attached.
2.
Peking's comments on the long-term paper have already been re-incorporated in the latest draft and I am having the additional points made by Sir E Youde taken into account; the paper in its latest agreed form is therefore available if the Governor wishes to comment further.
3.
Other points which you may wish to discuss with the Governor are as follows:
(a) Draft defensive brief on Chinese representation in Hong Kong (attached) which has already been cleared with Dr Wilson;
(b) EC common format passports draft telegram attached which
has still to be cleared with NTD and ECD(I);
(c) HMG guaranteeing loans to Dependent Territory Governments;
(d) Next steps on the Visa Office on which we still await Hong
Kong's detailed comments pending the return of the Governor and Dr Wilson to Hong Kong.
4.
On (b), I understand from ECD(I) that there will be an inspired PQ (see ECD(I)'s submission attached) in the House tomorrow about progress on passports, but this will depend on a favourable decision by OD today that we should agree in principle to a common format passport, and to an announcement being made after the European Council on 23 March.
12 March 1981
P. Mni
P Morrice
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET
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