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Secretary of State
From: Date:
Antony Acland
3 May 1985
CC:
Lady Young
Mr Rifkind
Mr Luce
Members of the MVC
MINISTERIAL VISITS COMMITTEE
1.
The Sub-Committee of the Ministerial Visits Committee (MVC) met on 25 April to review Departmental proposals for your visits and visits overseas by other Foreign Office Ministers during the period September 1985 to the end of the Christmas recess. I attach the Sub-Committee's Conclusions, with which I broadly agree.
They
2. On this occasion, as in the past, the Sub-Committee has endorsed a number of proposals which Ministers have already accepted in principle. This has given rise to suggestions that the MVC may not be necessary (separate arrangements ensure that Ministerial cover is maintained at home when Ministers are overseas). There is some strength in this argument. After nearly two years in office, Ministers can sense where their visits will be most effective. look to officials mainly to fill out the argument. Nevertheless, I think that there is value in having a Committee of Under-Secretaries and representatives from the Planning Staff and the Administration to take a wider and longer-term view of the priorities. Its main task falls in October when it reviews proposals for the travel plans of all FCO Ministers in the following calendar year. The October Meeting also enables us, when required, to offer No. 10 a coherent FCO view on the Prime Minister's travel plans. The April Meeting of the MVC has the more modest task of suggesting adjustments in the programme that new developments may require. On balance, I think it right that coordinating machinery of this kind exists.
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INTLY
1 O MAY 1985
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Antony Acland
CONFIDENTIAL