FS/PUSS(T)
43
A REGI
CC
Mr Abramson
16 JUN 1977
Mr Lightman
Mr Hudson
CRE 4 CT
38
HKKI 121616
121/616/1
Mr Wright
Mr Ashwood Mr Farry Mr Stern
or
CRE 4 CT
FCO
Mr Duffy
FCO
PROPOSED VISIT OF HONG KONG DELEGATION TO DISCUSS THE MFA
A delegation of industrialists from Hong Kong have announced their intention to visit London to discuss the UK (and EEC) attitude to the renegotiation of the MFA. They have asked, through the Governor of Hong Kong, for meetings with Ministers.
2 Our first reaction was to discourage this visit as our views are well known in Hong Kong and there is really nothing new to say on the subject especially as a high level team of officials from Hong Kong had detailed discussions with officials here only a few months ago. However the Governor has asked us to reconsider and, with some reluctance, we feel it would be unreasonable to refuse to see them. We suggest therefore that there should be separate meetings with Lord Goronwy Roberts at the Foreign Office, with Mr Meacher here and with Sir Peter Carey (who recently visited Hong Kong) at the Department of Industry. The delegation would like to come between 20 and 24 June if this is convenient to all concerned.
3
I would be grateful if you could let me know:
(a)
(b)
If Mr Meacher would be prepared to see the delegation. We could of course arrange a short introductory meeting with him to be followed by more detailed discussions with officials if he would prefer it.
If the suggested dates raise any problems.
The FCO and CT division will be consulting Lord Goronwy Roberts and Sir Peter Carey (in the latter case on his return from a visit to America) respectively.
Miss A Macfarlane
CRE 1/3
Room 369 V/S Ext 4290
10 June 1977
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