TNAG-0578-FCO40-711-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 82

Mr Cortazzi

PS

SECRET

HONG KONG: PLANNING PAPER

1.

Sir Murray MacLehose, the Governor of Hong Kong, will be in London for consultations next week; and it has been arranged for the Governor to call on the Secretary of State at 4.30 p.m. on

Thursday, 22 July.

2. The discussions with the Governor will centre on the Planning Flag A Paper, a copy of which is attached. This attempts to outline a

strategy for handling our responsibilities in respect of Hong Kong

for the next decade. It has naturally been the subject of much discussion within the Office and of much correspondence with the Governor. But it is now, in substance, agreed by all concerned and endorsed by Lord Goronwy-Roberts. It is our hope that the Secretary of State, after his talk with the Governor, will endorse the Paper as a definitive statement of current policy towards Hong Kong.

Flag B

3.

While the document is a bulky one, the essentials of the matter are set out in a main paper of 37 paragraphs. There is a summary at the beginning giving the main thrust of the argument.

4. I also attach a copy of the brief which I am submitting for use by FCO Ministers and senior officials who will be meeting the Governor next week. This is for the Secretary of State's information. A separate brief will be prepared for his own meeting with the Governor; this will cover any matters arising from the discussions

earlier in the week.

14 July 1976

CC:

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Rowlands

PS/Mr Luard

PS/PUS

Mr Larmour o.r.

Mr Male o.r.

PED

OLA

Economists Dept

Planning Dept

Mr Lipsey

SECRET

PL O'Keeffe

Hong Kong Department