TNAG-0284-FCO40-320-Appointment-of-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 45

(INDIV).

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF: IN CONFIDENCE

My Laind

R

Mr. Day

Mr. Wright

Mr. Wilford

Mr Daunt

Miss Deas

Governorship of Hong Kong

Problem

Ministers have agreed that Mr. C.M. MacLehose (at present

HM Ambassador in Copenhagen) should be appointed Governor of

Hong Kong when Sir D. Trench retires in October 1971. Although

it is not envisaged that Mr. MacLehose should leave Copenhagen

before March or April 1971, there are "Hong Kong" reasons for

announcing his new appointment in the fairly near future, and it

is therefore desirable to make the announcement somewhat earlier

than usual. Mr. Royle has suggested that the announcement might

be made at an early stage during Sir D. Trench's visit to this

country from mid-October to mid-December. Mr. Maca se has

agreed with the principle of an early announcement but has said

that he would wish to be in Copenhagen when the announcement is

made.

He will be on leave from 3 to 26 October and the Danes whom

he would wish to inform in advance about his new posting will be

away until the end of October.

2.

Thus the problem is to determine the timing for the announce-

ment in the light of these considerations.

13.

CONFIDENTIAL STAFF: IN CONFIDENCE

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