TNAG-0439-FCO40-504-Ministerial-Visits-Committee-monthly-returns-from-Hong-Kong--1974 — Page 28

GR 200

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

RESTRICTED

FM FCO 121900Z

49

(HKK 3/548/3)

2)

RESTRICTED

DESKBY 122359Z

74

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 1993 OF 12 DECEMBER/AND TO PRIORITY

MANILA.

FROM PS LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

HONG KONG TELNO 1229 AND MANILA TELNO 130

1. NEWS DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT AT 161230Z (161230Z):

QUOTE VISIT TO HONG KONG AND THE PHILIPPINES BY LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, IS TO VISIT HONG KONG FROM 11-17 JANUARY AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM 17-20 JANUARY UNQUOTE.

2. THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOLLOWING OFF THE RECORD BACKGROUND: QUOTE LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS IS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG

KONG AND FOR FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS, THESE WILL BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL

VISITS TO HONG KONG OR MANILA BY A MINISTER OF THE PRESENT COVERNMENT

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS HAS NOT YET VISITED HONG KONG AND IS DOING SO

NOW IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE COLONY AND TO HAVE

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS AND OTHERS THERE, HE HAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT MANILA ALSO: THE PHILIPPINES IS A COUNTRY OF INCREASING ECONOMIC COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPORTANCE

IN THE AREA AND NO MINISTER OF HMG HAS VISITED FOR A LONG TIME.

3. NEWS DEPARTMENT WILL IN GENERAL TAKE CARE TO EMPHASISE THAT THE VISIT TO HONG KONG IS A ROUTINE ONE, AND IN NO SENSE A QUOTE SPECIAL

MISSION UNQUOTE.

4. (FOR MANILA). PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR WILL BE INFORMED IN ADVANCE,

CALLAGHAN

FILES

HKIOD (4)

SEAD

CRD

FCD

NEWS D

FS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

MR WILFORD

SIR D WATSON

MR MALE

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON STREET

RESTRICTED