Our reference:
Your reference:
6/6/5/INDIV.
RESTRICTED
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG 7th Floor, Shell House, Queen's Road, Central, HONG KONG Mail Address: P.O. Box No. 528, Hong Kong
Cable Address: "Uktrade Hongkong"
Telephone: 230176
17
RaR.
1521-76
16
E O Laird Esq
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
London SW1
༧ ི་མིས་ཨི་
LAST
REF.
نة
Lid. you pl. Jon
30 December 1970
(14) Subflo P.P.
Cha
il
& then sple
En
14/1
Since writing my letter of 17 December about visiting MPs, I have had a further talk with the Director of Protocol who has tried to obtain a ruling from the Colonial Secretary on this issue. I have, therefore, telegraphed you today to warn you that I may wish to modify my letter
somewhat.
The resulting minute from the Colonial Secretary, which I have seen, is very vague and rather confused but seems to boil down to the principle that each case must be decided on its merits. What does seem to emerge from the minute, however, is that there is no blanket refusal to include me in any programme for MPs or other VIPs which is being prepared by the Protocol Department.
This is quite a different attitude from that adopted by the Colonial Secretary when he spoke to me, for although the question arose over a particular case, the distinct impression given was as described in my letter to you. I am quite certain I was not mistaken.
However, as I do not wish to make a mountain out of a molehill, I prefer to assume that what was said to me was said in a momentary mood of irritation, for some reason or other, but that official policy is as described in the minute. We are, therefore, back to square one and as Ray Lewthwaite seems to feel quite happy to continue, where possible, to include me in programmes for visiting firemen, I have no grounds for complaint.
However, he does make the point quite legitimately from his point of view as a servant of the Hong Kong Government that priority must be given to Hong Kong bodies and individuals and as visits to Hong Kong nearly always seem to be very short and there is a great deal to be seen here, this may mean that on occasions I shall be crowded out.
IN
REGISTRY Ne #1
/This does
HKK 6/548/3
RESTRICTED
LASY PAPER
Every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omis- sions in that information and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies, or individuals mentioned.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.