gain by going over the details of the visit and the issues with the same papers again. Indeed it will only encourage further questions on, for example, the Peking talks on which little can be said at present. John Ellison has said that he wishes to
have a general conversation about the mood in London in relation
to Hong Kong. Again, the Minister will have little to add to
what he said both before and during his visit. We know from
experience that John Ellison (despite his claims that he wishes only to help us in setting out our arguments!) is more than
likely to use whatever the Minister says to fit his own theories
or the gossip and rumours he has picked up elsewhere. He is
bound to focus on the effect of passage of the Boundaries and
Election Commission Bill on the Peking talks and
Sir Percy Cradock's comments on UK policy. The Minister covered these questions in Hong Kong.
5.
The London correspondents of the Hong Kong press are keen to
see the Minister from time to time. They get the opportunity to ask him questions when the Governor is here but they value also
the chance to talk to him alone. It is important to keep them on side. I recommend therefore that when we next have points which we wish to get across from London, possibly on future developments over nationality or if there is a decisive turning point in the Peking talks, positive or negative, we should invite the London correspondents to a briefing. We are likely to continue to get requests from John Ellison but we shall deal
with these as and when they arise.
Sara Everett
News Department