TNAG-0286-FCO40-322-Visits-of-HRH-Princess-Alexandra-to-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 58

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry

DRAFT

SUBMISSION

Type 1 +

No. HKK 26/1

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

XXXX

SEXXX

Confidential.

KAXKXX

brodas sideck

PRIVACY MARKING

To:-

Mr. Wilford

•

Sir Leslie Monson

Sir Denis Greenhill

..In Confidence

From

Mr. W. S. Carter

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Copy

Flag A

to:

Mr. Mayall

Mr. Aiers

Mr. Fingland

Sir S.

Tomlinson

It is not known on What Grounds The Committee's doubts were based e.g. Whether they were done.

pressure on available funds.

10

Flag A

Proposed Visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra

to Hong Kong (and Malaysia) in 1970

Problem

The Royal Visits Committee has expressed doubts

as to whether a suggested visit by HRH Princess

Alexandra to Hong Kong and Malaysia in 1970 should hold its place in the programme of Royal Visits for 1970/71.

It is desired to a sk the Committee to reconsider the

matter in the light of further information now

available.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that the Royal Visits Committee be

asked to give further consideration to the possibility

of an official visit by Princess Alexandra to Hong Kong

in 1970 on the basis that, if financial provision is

the obstacle to a visit, the Governor would, in the

last resort, be prepared to ask his Standing Finance

Colony Committee to vote the necessary funds to meet the costs (or a share of the costs) involved.

Background

3. We were unsuccessful in our efforts to have Hong Kong included in Princess Alexandra's itinerary when Her Royal Highness visited Singapore and Bangkok in

August 1969; because of other commitments Her Royal Highness was unable to extend the period of her absence from the UK. However, the Princess herself then offered to visit Hong Kong (and Malaysia) in 1970 and the Governor welcomed this subject to the usual proviso concerning the situation in the Colony at the time. The proposed visit was accordingly referred to the Royal Visits Committee, but at their last meeting (on 30 October) the Committee were doubtful whether it should hold its place in the programme of State visits for 1970/71.

/4.

(118281) Dd. 391599 1,500M 2/69 Hw.