HKK
EIVED
027/12
STRY
1 8 MAY 1984
RO RH
I Q
Private Secretary
SECRET
Searchy of Starte
FROM:
HB Warren-Gash
DATE: 30 January 1984
cc: Sir P Cradock Sir W Harding
Mr Donald
see 93
Mr Hardland-Swann, SEAD Mr Clift, HKD
PROPOSED VISIT BY MR LUCE TO BRUNEI, HONG KONG AND MALAYSIA
1. Mr Luce would be grateful for the Secretary of State's agreement that he should visit Brunei, Hong Kong, and Malaysia between 21 February and 1 March.
BRUNEI
Mr Luce's purpose in visiting Brunei is, as you know, to represent the Government at the first National Day celebrations (these
2.
are in effect belated celebrations of Brunei's full independence at the turn of the year). HRH The Prince of Wales will represent the Queen. Mr Luce would hope to travel out with the Royal Party leaving on 21 February, and to be accompanied on this leg by the Head of SEAD and a Private Secretary.
3. In view of our defence interests in Brunei (notably the agreement on the stationing of the Gurkhas), the MOD have proposed that Lord Trefgarne should also be a member of the party. Mr Luce would welcome this.
HONG KONG
4. Mr Luce would like to take advantage of his presence in the area to pay a short visit to Hong Kong. The Governor, HM Ambassador, Peking, (who would come down for the purpose) and EXCO have all made it clear that they would welcome this.
5.
Mr Luce regards it as an essential part of maintaining confidence in Hong Kong to pay regular visits there. Indeed, as the talks on Hong Kong progress, he believes it more than ever important to keep closely in touch with developments in the Colony. This is in no way intended to cut across the Secretary of State's own plans (see para 8 below), but rather to complement what will clearly be a major one-off event by the continuation of a regular, routine dialogue.
SECRET
16.