BACKGROUND NOTE
1.
The remaining dependent territories are Anguilla, Bermuda,
British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British
Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands and Dependencies,
Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Montserrat, Pitcairn Group of Islands, St
Helena and Dependencies, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Sovereign
Base Areas (Cyprus).
2.
The Prime Minister visited Bermuda in October 1981. She has
not visited any other dependent territory since assuming office.
Her prospective visit to Hong Kong in September is already public
knowledge.
3.
There have recently been some PQs about her visiting the
Falkland Islands. The most recent was on 21 June when she said in
a written reply that she had no plans to make such a visit
immediately.
4. Mr Albert McQuarry MP has also tabled a question asking whether
the Prime Minister will visit Gibraltar. The reply saying that
she has no plans to do so, is due to appear on 6 July.
5.
It is possible that the Prime Minister's aircraft will stage
at Akrotiri (Sovereign Base Area, Cyprus) on the way back from
Hong Kong. This will not, however, constitute a visit.
6.
Mr George Foulkes has been a critic of the Government for
lack of preparedness over Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands.
Hong Kong and General Department
28 June 1982