TNAG-0441-FCO40-506-Visits-of-leading-personalities-of-Hong-Kong-to-UK-1974 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

4)

CALL ON LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS BY SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES

1.

Sir Albert Rodrigues is to call on Lord Goronwy-Roberts 10:30 at 44.00 a.m. on 5 April. The Governor has described him as

"the wisest and most experienced as well as the most senior of

the Executive Councillors". He is by profession a physician, and

will be making the call whilst on a one month tour in connection

with Hong Kong's programme for curing drug addicts.

2.

He may wish to probe HMG's position on UK/Hong Kong

questions such as the death penalty; corruption, and the UK

Fugitive Offenders Act; trade and Hong Kong relations with the

EEC; Sterling; labour affairs; the defence contribution;

constitutional arrangements; or possibly the protection of wildlife.

Or he may wish to discuss Hong Kong/China questions such as the

possibility of a Chinese Representative in Hong Kong, or Chinese

immigration. Background notes on these questions are attached, but

I suggest that the Minister should not be drawn into detailed

discussion on them. All these subjects raise strong feelings in

Hong Kong and could affect confidence and the future of the colony.

Defensive Line to Take

3.

Ministers are examining all these questions as part of the

general survey of policy. They are important and complicated and

it would be a mistake to rush into comment on matters which so

closely affect the well-being and future of Hong Kong

CONFIDENTIAL

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