GRS 217
1
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3061
OF 140956Z AUGUST 87
53
Hab 027 нав
17.
13 AUG 1987
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
FOR PS/LORD GLENARTHUR FROM GOVERNOR.
YOUR TELNO 2155: LORD GLENARTHUR'S VISIT TO HONG KONG
1. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED AT THE IDEA OF LORD GLENARTHUR
ATTENDING A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF
CONSERVATIVES ABROAD. WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE DRAFT PROGRAMME WITH
LORD GLENARTHUR ON 11 AUGUST, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE
IDEA WAS FOR LEADING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION TO CALL ON HIM
FOR A DRINK AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
2.
THE PROBLEM ABOUT ATTENDING A RECEPTION IS THAT THIS MIGHT
BE SEEN PUBLICLY TO HAVE EQUAL SIGNIFICANCE IN PROGRAMME TERMS
AS, SAY, THE MINISTER'S TEA MEETINGS WITH THE URBAN AND REGIONAL
COUNCILS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD AVOID GIVING
THE IMPRESSION THAT LORD GLENARTHUR IS PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION
TO A SMALL GROUP OF EXPATRIATES. THE FACT THAT HE IS THE MINISTER-
RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG MAKES THIS A POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE POINT
IN A WAY WHICH WOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE TRUE FOR OTHER MINISTERS.
3.
UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTED LORD GLENARTHUR TO ATTENDING A RECEPTION HOSTED BY CONSERVATIVES ABROAD I SHOULD PREFER TO ARRANGE A MORE LOW PROFILE OCCASION WHEN THE LOCAL BRANCH GET IN TOUCH WITH US. THIS COULD BE, AS YOU SUGGEST, AT ABOUT
5.45 6.15 ON 17 OCTOBER.
WILSON
YYYY
HMLNAN 6925
LIMITED
Ако
NEWS D.
PS / LOAD GLENAATHUM MA MCLAREN
MA HOUSTON