Wood
Mr Wed 11, cald we have a
Stone
or any
about this?
8441218
४
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB
040/4
Miss Marsden, HKD
р.а
with subsequent
133
paper pr. Arala
From:
PS/Mr Maude
Date:
21 August 1989
CC:
PS
PS/Lord Brabazon Mr Gillmore o/r
Mr McLaren
Mr Grant, News Dept
HONG KONG: MR WIGGHAM'S SPEECH
1. Mr Maude was struck by the fall-out from Mr Wiggham's speech on 14 August. His remarks provoked a strong Chinese reaction, substantial British media coverage and necessitated a response from HMG (Mr Maude's World Service interview on 20 August). It may well make our negotiations with the Chinese, particularly on a PLA presence in Hong Kong, even more difficult.
2.
Mr Maude would be grateful to know:
a) whether Mr Wiggham's speech was cleared with either the Governor's office in Hong Kong or the FCO in London in advance; and
b) more generally, whether there are any ground-rules for Hong Kong Government officials to clear their lines before making public statements. Does the same apply for members of LegCo and ExCo?
3.
Clearly there will be times in the coming months when we wish the Governor or his officials to stimulate debate on a particular issue. But Mr Maude attaches importance to this being done as part of HMG's overall game-plan, rather than on an haphazard basis. He would be grateful for your and News Department's advice on how this might best be achieved.
Tam
lyn
Mark Lyall Grant
Private Secretary to Francis Maude
CONFIDENTIAL