TNAG-0037-FCO40-73-Effort-to-improve-relations-with-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 100

Ed (2829)

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Reference..

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Mr. W.S. Carter

Thank you for your minute of 21 February

about Hong Kong. I am not sure that I can inefully

/comment on your paragraph 3 (f), (g), (h).

So far as (g) and (h) are concerned I do not think

C. P. & P. Department come into this at all. We

have hitherto not been concerned with visits of

members of the Royal Family to functions of Common-

wealth interest in this country and I assume that

where there is Commonwealth Office interest in

such visits it has been dealt with by the

geographical or functional department concerned,

As regards (f) I am not sure what comment you were seeking. It is I think for Political

departments to consider whether a visit is

desirable

what objections (political, security)

there are, when the visit should be and for how

long etc. Once there are firm recommendations I

can then set the wheels turning; this is best done

by putting the recommendations to the Royal Visit Committee (there is to be a meeting in May) but

it need not wait for a meeting of the Committee.

Until your Department and presumably the Foreign

Office agree that there will be no international

political objection to a visit by say Prince Charles,

I do not think there is much I can usefully do.

Certainly I feel it would be premature to ap roach

the Palace unless we were able firmly to recommend

such a visit.

27 February, 1967

R

(R. WALKER)