TNAG-0325-FCO40-361-Proposed-visit-by-the-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1972 — Page 62

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Er wilford

Cir L Monson

1 THRIAL VISITS TO HONG KONG

1. I am sending forward separately a brief for Sir Leslie

mson for the meeting of the Ministerial Visits Committee on Thursday 9 September.

2. Since the original invitation to visit Hong Kong in April 1972 was extended by the Chinese University of Hong Kong

to a Minister (and not specifically to the Secretary of State), it may be that the University authorities will still wish their invitation to stand, A copy of the exchange of letters between Sir Leslie Monson and Sir Hugh Norman-Walker is el80 attched for reference.

3.

When informing the Governor that the Secretary of State will not now be able to visit llong Kong in April it would accordingly be nelpful if we could at the same time give him name indication of whether there would be any prospect of such a Ministerial visit being arranged so soon before the time of the Secretary of State's projected visit.

4. I understand that Mr Royle is thinking of visiting Hong Kong in February 1972. It would perhaps be best if he could postpone his visit for a couple of months and take the place of the Secretary of State at the opening of the Science Centre. Sir Leslie Monson may wish to explore the possibilities at the necting of the Ministerial Vieita Committee.

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7 September 1971

E O Laird

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENT TAL