1
"HRIOD
25 November, 1974
The Secretary of State has approved a plan for Lord Goronwy-Roberts to visit Hong Kong and the Philippines from 10 to 21 January, 1975.
The Governor of Hong Kong has strongly urged a visit by Lord Goronwy-Roberts, who is the Minister in the Foreign Office responsible for the colony, and has never been there. Particularly in view of the considerable and increasing concern about Hong Kong in Parliament, the Secretary of. State believes that a personal visit, with an opportunity for talks with the Government in Hong Kong would be useful at this stage both in dealing with criticism here and in getting across the realities of the political scene in London to those in Hong Kong.
A visit to Manila could conveniently be fitted in with this trip. No Government Minister has been to the Philippines for a long time. There is growing interest in this country in trade and investment in the Philippines, and the Ambassador in' Manila believes that a short ministerial visit would be useful at this stage.
When the Philippine Foreign Minister was in this country, he invited the Secretary of State to visit Manila, but there is no likelihood of the latter being able to take up this invitation in the near future. A short visit by Lord Goronwy-Roberts therefore seems appropriate.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts would like to take his wife with him. He would also be accompanied by his Private Secretary and one official.
The Lord Bridges,
Private Secretary,
10, Downing Street,
London S.W.1.
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