TNAG-0438-FCO40-503-Visits-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament--to-Hong-Kong-including-v-1974 — Page 35

M. Sigur

68

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S 4c (Air),

Metropole Building Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5BL was not besar beame

n.

Crowman Writer

Telephone 01-930 7022 ext

write to

Headquarters

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British Forces Hong Kong

British Forces Post Officel

3618

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Our reference

Date

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thout

PARLIAMENTARY VISIT TO THE SERVICES IN HONG KONG 11th to 16th SEPTEMBER 1974

AF/866/74/S 4c (Air)

15 th July, 1974 15th

Rób. hom

RECEIVE. RIGST. YA

22 JUL 1974

HKK3/505/2

17/1

The outline programme forwarded under signal LDD 020050Z May was agreed at a meeting held by US of S (RAF) on 4th July for the Members participating in the visit. Detailed planning may now proceed on this basis. You should note however that the Hong Kong Commissioner in London attended the briefing meeting and undertook to arrange for some members to visit schools, housing and prisons in the Colony. Ministry of Defence suggested Saturday for this purpose and you are requested to liaise as necessary with the Political Adviser.

2.

Brief personal notes on the members of the party are attached. The leader is Mr. Thomas Cox, who should be given precedence over the remaining six Members at all times. The escorting officer is Squadron Leader T.H. Whittingham of Ministry of Defence Ops (0)3a (RAF).

3.

Aircraft timings have been revised slightly to take account of CBF Hong Kong's wishes for an earlier arrival in Hong Kong. The following 46 Group VC 10 scheduled services are now in the programme:-

Wednesday 11th September Monday 16th September

ETA Kai Tak 0700Z

ETD Kai Tak 0900Z

4. US of S (RAF) has given approval for members of the party to be given "Confidential" information and shown "Confidential" equipment, provided their attention is drawn to the security classification and they are asked to treat the matter accordingly.

5.

The Department's policy is not to seek advance publicity for visits of this sort. However, this does not extend to trying to stop members speaking to the Press: they are free agents, and such a matter is within their discretion; they know of course, that classified information must not be divulged. You should therefore make an announcement to the Press on the following lines:-