TNAG-0442-FCO40-507-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1974 — Page 78

1

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

Telephone 01-

PA

416

Your reference

His Excellency

Sir Murray MacLehose KCMG MBE HONG KONG

Our reference

Date

21 May 1974

19

19/0

3)

День Пинаці

1. We have got some way with the outline programme for your visit as suggested in your telegram no. 517. I attach the first draft. The following comments are relevant:-

}

(a)

(b)

11 June. If we could have flight numbers we will arrange a VIP suite and I will meet you. I take it that if you are going straight to Scotland, you will not need a car. But if, for example, you will be going on by train, doubtless your people will let us know?

Tuesday 18 June. We are proposing to repeat the pattern of your last visit which seemed to work well. That is, a whole morning meeting chaired by Lord Goronwy-Roberts, followed by a working lunch at which he will also preside; after which officials can tidy up any loose ends.

I have spoken to Sir Paul Bryan about the Parliamentary Group meeting. He would welcome this and would also admit officials, unless you would prefer to speak to the MPs alone. His hope is that you would address the Group for fifteen to twenty minutes, followed by questions.

(c) Wednesday 19 June. During the week of your talks

officials should be putting final touches to proposals on the Defence Review which they will put to Ministers. We have arranged two meetings: one with John Thomson on the 18th which would be an intra-FCO meeting which would help our defence people with the FCO brief for Ministers; and the second on the 19th with the MOD AUS responsible for Hong Kong, which may be more formal, but where the process of substantive consultation can begin. Unless you see objection, we would suggest that you should be accompanied to the latter either by myself or by the Head of Defence Department. Duncan Watson will be discussing all this with you next week, and may also suggest that you might look in for an hour or two on. first arrival on the 11th, to give those concerned with the subject a preview of your ideas.

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

/(a)