TNAG-0368-FCO40-414-Visits-of-UK-Government-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 7

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TO PRIORITY COVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 297 OF 23 MARCH/INFO

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YOUR TELNOS 293 AND 294: VISIT OF MINISTER FOR TRADE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. MINISTER AND HIS PARTY GRATEFULLY ACCEPT INVITATION TO STAY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. HE HAS AGREED THE PROGRAMME YOU SUGGESTED, BUT WONDERED WHETHER IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO SPEND WHOLE OF 2ND MAY IN DISCUSSIONS. IF POSSIBLE HE WOULD LIKE TO DO SOME SIGHTSEEING THAT AFTERNOON, PERHAPS VISITING FISHERMEN'S VILLAGES. WILL HE BE EXPECTED TO SPEAK AT THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL LUNCH? IF SO HE WOULD PREFER TO MAKE A SHORT SPEECH LASTING NOT MORE THAN 10 TO 15 MINUTES.

2. HE AGREES THE LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION, BUT WILL ALSO WISH TO REPORT ON HIS TALKS WITH THE JAPANESE AUTHORITIES ON THEIR TREATMENT OF HONG KONG UNDER THEIR GSP.

3. LADY HOWE'S PRINCIPAL INTEREST IS CRIMINAL AFTERCARE: SHE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO VISIT A HONG KONG COURT, PERHAPS WITH MR OR MRS JACKSON-LIPKIN. NURSING AND NURSERY SCHOOLS ARE OF LESSER

INTEREST TO HER.

4. IT IS NOT YET CERTAIN WHETHER THE MINISTER WILL WISH TO SEE

OTHER FRIENDS IN HONG KONG.

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