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་
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PA
Private Segretary
Segreta
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02615...
CONFIDENTAL
in Taken
232
pa.
lift (HUGD)
Stone.
I have incorporated
this into the draft lette to No 16
at flag
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE FAR EAST: COMPOSITION OF PARTY
A
1.
(185)
C
(201
D
In his letter to you of 23 August, the Private Secretary
to the Prime Minister confirmed that the Prime Minister had agreed
that the Governor of Hong Kong should accompany her on her visit
to China. We subsequently asked the Governor for his advice
on how the announcement of this should be handled. He suggested
that, as far as Hong Kong was concerned, his inclusion in
the party should preferably emerge in a low key manner in London.
The report could then be picked up in Hong Kong and confirmed
there.
2.
6/9
The Governor has now arrived in London with the delegation
of five Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils
of Hong Kong. He has suggested that there would be political
benefits in Hong Kong if he and the Unofficials could tell the
Press on their return to the Territory that he will be accompanying
the Prime Minister.
D
43
MICK 026/17
3.
19/2
On
On 3 September, I submitted a draft letter to No 10 seeking
approval for the issue of a press statement after the group's lunch.
with the Prime Minister on 8 September, and for a line for the
Governor to take with the Press on his return to Hong Kong.
the basis of these, it is clear that the group will not be able
to say very much publicly about their meeting with the Prime
Minister, despite the great interest that the media are showing
in their visit. I therefore agree that it would be helpful if
they were able to announce that the Governor will be accompanying
/the
CONFIDENTIAL