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and with other members of your Department various aspects of the Hong Kong scene. It would also be useful for me to have twenty minutes or so with someone in News Department to draw on their experience in dealing with the media.
5. As you will probably have guessed, I start from a unique position of ignorance on Hong Kong matters but hope to start filling up the proverbial blank street as rapidly as possible. Anything I can learn on the polities, the key personalities, the democracy issue, commercial contracts etc will obviously be useful.
6. John Coles was going to reflect further on whether my briefing should sensibly extend into other parts of Whitehall. His first reaction was that this might not be very useful at this stage, although if there are key contacts in other departments with whom I will need to be in touch in the future from Hong Kong, it may be sensible at least to make myself known to them, albeit fleetingly. My I leave this to you and John Coles to consider, and include the odd appointment in the programme if you think it sensible?
7. If Mr Patten is likely to be in London that week, it would clearly be very helpful for me if I could see him, either in or outside office hours, whichever suited his programme best. Perhaps John Morris could feed in a time to you, if one can be found. John Coles also kindly suggested lunch, which I would very much welcome if his diary allows. I would like to call on Edward Llewelyn, too, if he is available.
8.
It would be very helpful if someone could send me an outline programme by fax (66 2 253 7124) or by telegram to the Embassy here, by about the middle of June so that I can slot in other commitments around the meetings discussions you are able to set up. Many thanks.
9. As far as written briefing is concerned it would be helpful for me to start reading myself in before I come to see you. John Coles suggested that the best introduction would be the briefing prepared by your Department prior to April 9th for the incoming Government. Could you please send a copy by bag to Bangkok marked Personal for me, together with any other background material readily to hand? John Coles mentioned that new material has also been commissioned. If that is not available in time to reach me before I leave Bangkok for London on 26 June, perhaps I could read it in the Department on arrival.
10. John Coles and I discussed the question of my briefing programme in Hong Kong in the few days before Mr Patten arrives, and agreed that I should write to Richard Hoare asking him to set this up. But John Coles suggested that I consulted you about it first. His own initial view was that the briefing should begin with the Chief Secretary and other key senior figures in the administration (Permanent Secretaries of Departments etc), then move to
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