TNAG-0337-FCO40-373-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster--Sir-Geoff-1972 — Page 93

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FM HONG KONG 03875DZ

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CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 692 OF 3 AUGUST.

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4 AUG 17/2

1~KK 9/548/12

YOUR TELMO 619: VISIT BY CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY. OF LANCASTER.

IN SPITE OF THE CANCELLATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT, I DO NOT THINK THAT WE NEED MUCH INTRUDE ON THE CHANCELLOR'S PRIVATE VISIT. HE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED A WORKING LUNCH AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

TO LET MYSELF AND ONE OR TWO OFFICIALS KNOW HIS THINKING OM POINTS

CONNECTED WITH THE UK'S ENTRY INTO THE ECC THAT AFFECT HONG KONG. (WE WILL SEND A LIST OF SUBJECTS WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS).

2. OVER AND ABOVE THIS IT WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED IF HE WOULD AGREE TO ACCEPT A LUNCH FROM THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. I AM SURE THAT THESE PEOPLE, WHO PLAY A CRUCIAL PART IN THE TRANSACTION OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, WOULD WELCOME AN INFORMAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PUT QUESTIONS TO MR RIPPON. THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR HIM TO MAKE

A SPEECH AND THE PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE ENTIRELY CONFIDENTIAL.

AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAS BECOME AN

ESTABLISHED PART OF MOST VISITS BY MINISTERS TO HONG KONG, AND

SO FAR I HAVE NOW KNOWN CONFIDENCE BREACHED.

3. 1 SUGGEST THEREFORE THAT THE VISIT SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DESCRIBED

AS PRIVATE, BUT THE MR RIPPON MIGHT AGREE TO MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE FOR LUNCHES ON 14 AND 15 SEPTEMBER, AND SHOULD AGREE TO SEE THE

PRESS BRIEFLY ON HIS ARRIVAL. IF HE WOULD PREFER A LUNCH AND DINNER

ON THE SAME DAY, THUS KEEPING THE REST OF HIS VISIT FREE FROM

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS, THAT COULD JUST AS EASILY BE ARRANGED.

4. IF YOU WOULD TELEGRAPH MR RIPPON'S WISHES ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE

MADE ACCORDINGLY.

FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.

MACLEHOSE

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