141
HINISTER
OF
STATE
Dear Tony
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HOME OFFICE QUEEN ANNE'S GATESee (4)
LONDON SWIH 9AT
E9 JUL 1986
143
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Mr Barrington
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VISIT TO THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT AND HONG KONG
A
SEPTEMBER 1986 mm
The Home Secretary has agreed that Mr Waddington should visit the Indian sub-continent and Hong Kong during the last two weeks of September.
Mr Waddington last visited the sub-continent in 1983 soon after he had become Minister responsible for immigration. It is important that the Minister responsible for this work should be seen by all the staff, and should himself see Ministers and officials of the Foreign Governments concerned, reasonably often. We consider that it would now be right to pay a further visit. There are at present a number of important practical and policy issues which could usefully be pursued in the context of such a visit. However, as Mr Waddington has previously visited the sub-continent, we consider that it would also be very useful to take this opportunity, now that the nationality issue is settled, to go on to Hong Kong to see at firsthand some of the refugee problems there. We have in mind a visit from 15-29 September, with about 8 days in the sub-continent and the balance in Hong Kong.
I would accompany Mr Waddington on the visit, together with a senior official from our Immigration and Nationality Department and, as is customary on such visits, an official from the Foreign Office. In addition, Mr Waddington would like his wife to accompany him on the visit although entirely at his own expense.
I am
Mr Waddington would be grateful to know whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is content for this visit to go ahead as proposed. If so, I assume that you will arrange for the relevant posts to be consulted about the programme for the visit. sending a copy of this letter to Murdo Maclean and would be grateful if he would also seek the Chief Whip's consent. Copies also go to Tim Flesher (No 10) and Christopher Cloke (Cabinet Office) for information.
HRR 027/5
RECEIVED IN
1 8 JUL 1986
DESK OFT
INDEX
AB 187.
Yours ever
Chludsen
CCR HUDSON
Private Secretary
A C Galsworthy Esq
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