TNAG-0569-FCO40-702-Planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 143

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CONFIDENTIAL

MINUTES OF 82nd MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:

11 MARCH 1976

Present:

PUS

Mr Sinclair

Mr Campbell

Mr Cortazzi

Sir A Duff

Mr Larmour

Mr Statham Mr Williams Mr Faber

I

Mr Edmonds (For Item III) Mr Hayes

Mr Stanley (For Item III) Mr Bentley (For Item II) Mr Fergusson

Mr McNally

Mr O'Keeffe (For Item II)

Mr Orchard

Mr Trew (For Item III)

Mr Willson (For Item III)

POTENTIAL FLASH POINTS (PC 76/4)

1. In opening discussion the PUS noted that there were too many papers on the agenda for proper consideration to be given to them all at one meeting. He had asked Sir A Duff to become Superintending Under Secretary of the lower level Planning Committee which would act as the first stage for considering papers and which would incorporate appropriate officials on an ad hoc basis. He thought that Sir A Duff's Committee might take the Planning Staff paper on Potential Flash Points, establish some measure of priority between the various situa- tions mentioned and recommend to the senior Committee what particular studies might be commissioned. That would accord with the views of the Secretary of State and the original purpose of the exercise. was agreed by the Committee.

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PLANNING PAPERS ON CHINA, JAPAN AND HONG KONG (PC 76/9, 10, 11)

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2. From a quick perusal of the papers on China and Japan the PUS considered that, subject to any points made in discussion, these were in good and potentially final shape for submission to the Secretary of State. In response to doubts expressed about their length, Mr McNally thought that the Secretary of State would appreciate their thoroughness especially since his visit would be a three week one. There would be advantage in the Secretary of State having early sight of these papers. He saw his journey as one of exploration: while the Government, on taking office, had a fairly clear idea of the deve- lopment of relations with, for example, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth and the UN, this was not the case about China. As for Japan the Secretary of State had formed the impression that she was an economic super-power which ought to be brought into the Euro/Atlantic discussions, but he wanted to consider sur place whether

CONFIDENTIAL

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