TNAG-0331-FCO40-367-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 153

t.

CONFIDENTIAL

THE OPENING STATEMENT COULD ALSO EXPRESS BRITAIN'S CONFIDENCE

IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE. IT MIGHT MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE IMPROVED

RELATIONS BETWEEH BRITAIN AND CHINA AND THE CHANGES CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN CHINA ARE TO HONG KONG'S ADVANTAGES · IT- IS

APPRECIATED THAT THESE TWO SUBJECTS MAY BE DEALT WITH IN THE PUBLIC

SPEECH WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BE MAKING AT THE

LUNCHEON ON THE FOLLOWING DAY BUT THEY MIGHT STILL BE TOUCHED UPON

ち

BRIEFLY AT THE OPENING MEETING WITH THE PRESS.

THERE WILL BE LITTLE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTIONS IN DEPTH

AT THE ARRIVAL CONFERENCE AND THE MAJORITY OF QUESTIONS WILL BE

RESERVED FOR THE FINAL CONFERENCE WHERE THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL

ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHAT HE HAS SEEN

DURING HIS BRIEF STAY IN HONG KONG.

QUESTIONS MIGHT BE ASKED ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:

(A) RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND TAIMAN AND POSSIBLE VISIT TO PEKING. (B) BRITISH QUOTA RESTRICTIONS AND TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF HONG KONG

TEXTILES.

C) EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS.

D) U.K. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS POSITION AND MORE BRITISH AID TO HONG

KONG.

E) EXPIRY OF THE LEASE,

(F) CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

(G) SUGGESTION (NOW DORIANT) FOR AN OMBUDSMAN.

H) BRITISH ENTRY INTO COMMON MARKET.

(1) HONG KONG'S DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.

(J) CHINESE AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU REQUIRE FUTHER INFORMATION FROM ME

TO ASSIST YOU IN DEALING WITH THESE POSSIBLE QUESTIONS. I WILL

KEEP IN TOUCH IF THERE ARE ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

H.K.D.

NEWS DEPT

F.E.D.

PRIVATE SECRETARY

P.S./MR ROYLE

P.S./P.U.S.

SIR S TOMLINSON

MR WILFORD

SIR L MONSON

COFIES TO

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE 54 PALL MALL SW 1

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CONETDENIUTAT.

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