CONFIDENTIAL
DAWP HES 027/1
Опи
EPARTMENTS' PROPOSALS FOR VISITS OVERSEAS BY THE PRIME MINISTER
AND FCO MINISTERS
(for completion by geographical Department)
1.
Minister
2.
Country
LORD GLENARTHUR
HONG KONG
3.
Objective i) It is important that Lord Glenarthur, as the new Minister of State responsible for Hong Kong, should visit the Territory as soon as possible as a demonstration of the Government's continuing interest in and commitment to Hong Kong;
ii) Lord Glenarthur will wish to take the earliest opportunity to brief himself about the situation in Hong Kong.
4.
Arguments Implementation of the Joint Declaration is going well and the Joint Liaison Group is making good progress in resolving a wide range of detailed issues. Many of these, have a bearing on confidence and are critical to the maintenance of the stability and prosperity which will be essential for a smooth transfer. Visiting Hong Kong will give the Minister the opportunity to obtain
The most a clear grasp of these issues and what they involve. sensitive question at present is that of representative government. The survey of opinion arising from the review of developments in
It is representative government will finish on 30 September. desirable that Lord Glenarthur should visit Hong Kong before then.
5.
Timing Lord Glenarthur's Private Secretary has already minuted to the Private Office requesting that 15-25 September should be put aside for a slot for Lord Glenarthur to go to Hong Kong (and perhaps somewhere else thereafter). PS/Lord Glenarthur has tentatively suggested that the Minister might leave on the evening of Tuesday 15 September, arriving in Hong Kong during the afternoon the following day. This would give him Thursday 17 September, and most of Friday 18 September as full working days in Hong Kong. He might leave either on the evening of Friday 18 September or the morning of Saturday 19 September. These dates have not yet been put to Hong Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL
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