PS/Mr Luce
CONFIDENTIAL
S5
HKK
027/20
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
- 9 SEP 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
pr
PA
cc: Mr Donald o/r
Mr Roberts, News Dept
Mr Thomson, FED (with attach
VISIT BY MR LUCE TO HONG KONG: HANDLING OF PRESS CONFERENCE
53
mer
1. Your minute of 6 September refers.
2. We have already prepared material for use at the Press Conference on subjects other than the Future of Hong Kong. This is being submitte
3. On the Future, we are working on Lines to Take in reply to a whole range of possible questions. Some of this is bound to be affected by what happens at, and what is said after, the talks with the Chinese on 22 and 23 September. Amendments will have to be made nearer the time. The same problem affects what Mr Luce is to say to EXCO and UMELCO during his visit.
4.
However, we stand ready to go through the lines as they stand with Mr Luce next week. Any other refinements which have to be made between the time of his departure from the UK and the holding of his press conference on 29 September will of course be telegraphed to Hong Kong.
5. On his arrival in Hong Kong on 24 September, Mr Luce may be approached by the press, even though his official programme will not have begun and I imagine the Hong Kong Government will try to keep them at bay. A separate line will be provided for this.
Bip
8 September 1983
CONFIDENTIAL
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department