CODE 18-77
UNCLASSIFIED
Mrs Blackwell (CRD G121/1)
HKK 026/2
70
Reference
нки
огыг
INVITATION TO MR PAUL CHANNON MP TO THE 7TH FESTIVAL OF ASIAN ARTS, HONG KONG
63
IND
No
саб
9/7
Parlo
attached
1. Thank you for your minute of 5 July. I am afraid we do not have much material on the Festival. I attach for your information a copy of the section dealing with it in 'Hong Kong 82'. However, Mr McQuade of this department was present at the opening of last year's festival. His view is that, while the Festival is entirely reputable, and indeed enjoyable, we could not recommend that it was worth a separate 7-day Ministerial visit, particularly as the Prime Minister will be in Hong Kong in September and Lord Belstead plans to go there in early December.
2. If you or the DES see other reasons for Mr Channon to accept the invitation, I do not think we would have any objections, but we should have to consult the Governor of Hong Kong before actually recommending acceptance. I should in addition be grateful if you would ensure that DES are aware of the correct procedure for consulting the FCO when planning a Ministerial visit overseas. I imagine that the DES are only taking preliminary soundings at the moment, but it is probably worth reminding them of the procedure (set out in Mr Rickett's letter of 26 June to Private Secretaries in other Government Departments). in case they decide to go ahead.
tments),
NR
C G Edgar
8 July 1982
Hong Kong & General Department K242 233.4828