E.R.
interested only in attracting skills from Hong Kong, there would be little point in the Home Secretary's raising it; doing so might even be counter-productive, since any rebuff from Australia would be likely to become known at home.
A related issue is the proposed international safety net in the event of a mass exodus (the "Armageddon Scenario"). It would be helpful to know whether FCO have been pursuing this, also, with Australia and whether it is something the Home Secretary could usefully raise during his visit.
In order to enable me to meet the deadline set by our Private Office, might I ask to receive your reply by 6 March?
Yours dincely,
MRS EJ GRIMSEY
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