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CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
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7. I am keeping in close touch with Mr Ford. I have, however, stressed to him the importance, in any contacts with Lord Geddes or other peers, of avoiding the impression that the Government might be prepared to do any sort of deal. Lord Geddes had apparently shown some disposition to delay putting in his amendment in the hopes that HMG might be prepared to do something on its own. I have said to Mr Ford that we should not try to influence Lord Geddes in any way because the chances of our delivering anything favourable to Hong Kong remain very slim.
8.
Mr Ford has also been in contact with the Governor by telephone. Sir Murray is apparently under some criticism from Unofficials for discouraging them from lobbying on the first Geddes amendment; they believe that with an extra push it would have been passed. The Governor is taking the line that for the amendment to have succeeded would not have helped Hong Kong because there would have been a very strong possibility of the Home Office seeking to overturn it in the Commons. That would have been much worse for UK/Hong Kong relations. Mr Ford and I strongly agree with this line and he has told the Governor so.
9. Mr Howells is suggesting to Mr Adams that the latter should call a meeting on Friday morning (provisionally 9.30 am), to include yourself, at which the FCO's next moves should be discussed in the light of any move by Lord Geddes and any reply from the Home Office.
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14 October 1981
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Mr Williamson
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL