XN000022-1982-11-19 — Page 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1982

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LORD BELSTEAD TO VISIT HONG KONG

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THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, LORD BELSTEAD, WILL BE ATTENDING A MEETING IN BANGKOK IN MID-DECEMBER OF HEADS OF UK MISSIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST.

BEFORE TRAVELLING TO BANGKOK HE WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM DECEMBER 6 TO 10.

THIS WILL BE LORD BELSTEAD'S FIRST VISIT TO THE TERRITORY SINCE BEING APPOINTED EARLIER THIS YEAR AS MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, WHERE HIS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE HONG KONG.

HE WILL HAVE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS AND WILL MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS,

AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF VISITS IS BEING ARRANGED TO ENABLE THE MINISTER TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY,

NOTE TO EDITORS:

LORD BELSTEAD WAS BORN IN 1932 AND WAS EDUCATED AT ETON AND CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD. HE SUCCEEDED TO HIS TITLE IN 1958. A CONSERVATIVE, HE WAS PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE FROM 1970 TO 1973, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE FROM 1973-74, AND PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE HOME OFFICE FROM 1979 UNTIL HE WAS APPOINTED MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE IN MARCH THIS YEAR.

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